JTF, labour to join forces against crude oil theft

The Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, code named Operation Pulo Shield, has solicited the support of trade unions in the region  in the fight against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering.

Commander of the task force, Major General Emmanuel Atewe, at a meeting with leaders of the various associations, held at the JTF headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital,  said the fight against illegal oil bunkering and oil theft is a collective responsibility and should not be left in the hands of the security agencies alone.

”Security is everybody’s  business and should not be left in the hands of security agencies alone. There should be synergy between stakeholders, community leaders and the JTF especially in the areas of giving out credible information that will aid the Task Force to carry out its mandate,” he said.
According to him, the mandate of fighting illegal oil bunkering and related offences in the region can only be effective if all hands are on deck.

”I am looking for information on the activities of these criminals and I assure you that we will not give out the source of our information. The fight against criminalities in Niger Delta can only be reliable and effective through providing timely information to us,” Atewe

Nigeria to spend N35.830 billion on Ex-Militants in 2014

The Federal Government is to spend a total of N35.830 billion for the reintegration of ex-militants enlisted in the Presidential Amnesty Programme in 2014.

Special adviser to the president on Amnesty Programme, Mr. Kingsley Kuku revealed this at a budget defence session with the House of Representatives committee on Niger Delta Affairs.

Kuku also disclosed that another N23.625 billion is required for the payment of N65, 000 monthly stipends to 30,000 ex-militants, adding that N3.825 billion will also be needed to cover the cost of operations in the Presidential Amnesty Office.

JTF Arrests Boko Haram Suspect in Mohammed Abacha's Home

The Joint Task Force(JTF) in Kano arrested a suspected Boko Haram member at the residence of the son of late former Head of State Sani Abacha, Mohammed, Daily Trust reliably gathered.

It was gathered that the suspect who is a domestic aide of Abacha’s son at his residence located on Magajin Rumfa road at the Government Reserved Area (GRA) in Nasarawa local government area of the state was trailed to the house following the arrest of a suspected Boko Haram member in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Security forces comprising men of the Nigerian Army and those of the State Security Service (SSS) went to the residence at around 1pm on Wednesday.

A source close to the family told Daily Trust that the security operatives arrived the house at a time when the aides of Mohammed were saying their Zuhr prayers.

“They came during the Zuhr prayers; in fact the people around in the house were observing the prayers. The security men alighted from their cars and about 10 of them who were well-armed entered the building and waited till the end of the four raka’at prayers.

“After the prayers, they asked all the people around to lie down. In fact some security men who were among those people praying were also asked to lie down because they were in mufti. When the security men among those people that were lying down indentified themselves, the JTF members asked them to stand up,” he said.
According to the source, the JTF operatives then brought out a suspected Boko Haram member who was handcuffed to identify the suspect in Mohammed’s house.

“As the suspect was trying to identify the one in Mohammed’s house, he started running and jumped a fence but the security operatives arrested,” he said.

However, when our correspondents went to the residence of Mohammed around 1pm yesterday, security guards stationed there denied knowledge of the military operation and the arrest of the suspected Boko Haram member.
But a trader near the residence said he heard about the arrest of the suspect from a friend. “I was not around when the operation took place but I heard that a suspected Boko Haram member was arrested in the house yesterday (Wednesday),” he said.

When contacted by telephone, Mohammed Abacha said nothing like that happened.
Spokesman for JTF in Kano state, Captain Ikedichi Iweha, confirmed the operation but declined further information, saying investigation was still on.


Information from Daily Trust was used in this report.

JTF arrests monarch, others for stealing oil

The Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield, has arrested a traditional ruler and three other persons for allegedly stealing 2,000 metric tonnes of crude oil along the waterways of Akassa in Brass local government area of Bayelsa State.

The third class chief according to the state ranking of traditional rulers, was said to hail from Twon Brass.

He was reportedly apprehended after crew members arrested in the vessel claimed he was their main sponsor.

A security source said the searchlight of JTF was beamed on the activities of the monarch before his arrest.

The source, who craved anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter said some traditional rulers were funding oil theft.

“We discovered that the boys came under the cover of the night and siphoned crude oil from the oil pipelines along the Brass-Sagana River in Akassa area.

“We have discovered that some of these traditional rulers and community heads provide cover and funding for the activities of these oil thieves in Bayelsa.

“We have started a series of collaboration with communities but we will not spare those directly involved in the illicit trade,” the source added.

When contacted on the development, JTF Media Coordinator, Lt. Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, said he was yet to get the details of the arrest.

“I will get in touch with our men in Sagana area and get back to you”, he said.