The Joint Task Force, ”Operation Delta Safe,” on Thursday, said it had recovered seven tankers filled with illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil from some suspected oil thieves.
The JTF, which paraded 12 suspected oil thieves at the 3 Battalion, Nigerian Army, Effurun, Delta State, also recovered a truck, a bus, a Golf car and one outboard engine.
The Sector (1) Commander of the JTF, Col. Alhassan Grema, who paraded the suspects and the recovered items before newsmen, subsequently handed them over to the officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps for further interrogation.
Addressing newsmen, Grema said the “Operation Delta Safe,” which replaced ”Operation Pulo Shield” had also destroyed many Cotonou boats inside the creeks.
He said that the suspects and the items were intercepted in Warri, Koko and Ughelli, adding that the feat was achieved within a month.
Grema said, ”On behalf of the JTF commander, ”Operation Delta Safe”, I want to hand over seven tankers, one truck, one bus, one Gulf car, one outboard engine, several exhibits and 12 suspects to the NSCDC.
”We also effected arrest of several Cotonou boats in the course of our operation, which we destroyed on site, all within Koko, Ughelli and Warri axis all in about one month.
”The possibility that the suspects have links with the militants cannot be ruled out because proceed from the illegal bunkering can be used to procure arms and other items that can be used in perpetrating their criminal activities.
”The seven tankers, almost filled to the brims, and they are products suspected to be illegally refined AGO,” he said.
Deputy Commander, NSCDC, Delta Command, Chibuzor Austin, received the suspects and the items on behalf of the Delta Command.
Austin assured that the suspects would be prosecuted according to the law, adding that the partnership between the JTF and NSCDC would continue to flourish.
”I am receiving the suspects and the items on behalf of the NSDC Delta Command. I assure you that the partnership we have with the JTF has been productive and we want to continue with the partnership to rid Nigeria of such criminality,” he said.
