BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA
YENAGOA – The Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta code named Operation Pulo Shield, yesterday, swooped on the distribution depot for illegally refined petroleum products at the Swali suburb of Yenagoa, the BayelsaState capital and arrested three suspects.

The Task Force impounded over 104 empty surface tanks and 112 drums, 40 of which were filled with adulterated Automated Gas Oil, AGO.

Also, the warehouses used in storing the illegally refined petroleum products allegedly shipped from the mangrove swamp were pulled down by the  task force in a renewed onslaught against crude oil theft and sale of adulterated petroleum products.

The military operation to rid Yenagoa waterfront of the activities of illegal petroleum products distillers was witnessed by senior Bayelsa government officials, including the Commissioner for State Capital Development, Mr. Zuwa Konugha.

While the seized adulterated Automated Gas Oil otherwise known as diesel were evacuated into the Joint Task Force tanker and later hand over to the Department of Petroleum Resources for safe custody and destruction, heavy hacksaw powered by generating plant was used to destroy the empty surface tanks.

Coordinator of the Joint Media Campaign Centre of the JTF, Lt.Col. Onyeama Nwachukwu who spoke to newsmen at the Swali waterfront said three suspects were nabbed when its operatives swooped on the illegally refined petroleum product distribution depot.

According to him, the suspects are currently undergoing preliminary investigation and will be handed over to the prosecuting agencies.

He said the task force would continue to raid all identified illegal distribution network of the crude oil thieves with a view to curbing the menace in the region.

Also speaking, the state Commissioner for State Capital Development, Mr. Zuwa Konugha lauded the effort of the JTF in the battle against crude oil thieves and illegal refinery operators and assured the task force of the state government support.

He said it was the desire of the government to give the capital city a facelift.