5 suspected oil thieves arrested, kidnap attempt foiled in Delta

The military task force in the Niger Delta, on
Wednesday, said it had arrested five suspected oil
thieves and foiled a kidnap attempt on a 12-year-
old boy.
A statement from Lieutenant Colonel Isa Ado, its
Media Coordinator, said the troops destroyed 21
illegal oil refining sites in multiple raids in the last
10 days.
Ado said that the anti-illegal oil bunkering squad,
deployed at Jones Creek and Ajaosolo Creek in
Warri North and Warri South local government
areas in Delta State, had discovered and destroyed
10 illegal oil bunkering sites.
He said that four Cotonou boats, seven surface
tanks and 34 metal tanks filled with illegally refined
AGO, 20 cooking pots and plastic tanks filled with
stolen crude oil were destroyed.
The spokesman also said that two suspected gun
runners were arrested by operatives of the task
force at Orokpokpo in Ughelli North Local
Government Area of Delta State.
Two single barrel guns and six cartridges were
recovered and the suspects and the weapons are in
the custody of the task force, he added.
Ado also said that the troops, while on land patrol
on Abudu-Agbor road in Orhionmwon Local
Government Area of Edo State, arrested an illegal
oil bunkering tanker loaded with illegally refined
automotive gas oil.
The occupants of the tanker were arrested, he and
the tanker and three suspects are also in custody
of the JTF for preliminary investigation, he said.
In another development, the troops deployed at
Ihoro community in Ughelli North foiled an attempt
by kidnappers to abduct a 12-year-old boy in
Ohoro Secondary School.
One suspect was arrested in connection with the
crime while the troops are on the trail of other
suspects who are currently at large, he said.
He said that in another operation, the troops, in
conjunction with the police, while on patrol along
Isiokpe-Elele express road, arrested two tankers
used for illegal bunkering activities.
He said the tankers, loaded with stolen automotive
gas oil, were destroyed in Isokpo.
"Five illegal oil bunkering sites were also
discovered along Awoba Flow Station, Gbenekruu,
Baragbene and Igbomotoro communities in
Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa
State.
"The oil thieves operate with Cotonou boats, metal
tanks and plastic rubber containing illegally refined
AGO, the sites and items discovered were also
destroyed,” Ado said.