By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa
The Joint Task Force Operation PULO SHIELD yesterday said its troops patrolling along Ajapa waterways in Eseodo Local Government Area of Ondo State repelled attack by sea robbers operating with 6 speed boats and recover cache of arms.

Spokesman of the JTF, Lt Col Isa Ado in a statement issued in Yenagoa said the bandits laid ambush on the creek and opened fire on the soldiers which resulted in the exchange of fire between the troops and the sea robbers.

“The robbers submitted to the fire power of the troops which led to the recovery of cache of arms and ammunitions from the robbers which includes 2 general purpose machine guns (GPMG), 2 AK 47 rifles, one pump action gun, 40 rounds of ammunition, 4 machettes and 4 speed boats.

“The arms and ammunitions together with other equipments are in custody of the JTF for preliminary investigation,” he said.

In another development, he said the Sector One anti oil theft and illegal oil bunkering of the Task Force in collaboration with Conoil Security Surveillance Operation along Opumami Creek in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State arrested two suspects while siphoning crude oil from an oil wellhead with a Cotonou boat filled with stolen crude oil.

He said one pumping machine, a speed boat and other illegal oil bunkering equipment recovered were destroyed in-situ while the suspects are in custody of the JTF for preliminary investigation.

“Troops also intercepted a truck with registration number XA 218 GBJ at Ugo community in Orhionmwen LGA of Edo State with 12 thousand litres worth of crude oil.

“Further test carried out by Pipeline and Product Marketing Company (PPMC) on the products revealed it to be illegally refined crude oil. The truck and it contents were set ablaze.

“In the Sector 2 Operation, the troops deployed at Ogbonbiri Agip Flow Station in conjunction with Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Southern Ijaw Local Government Task Force (SILGA) during patrol discovered an illegal oil bunkering field with 8 active refining sites at Gbaraun market in SILGA Bayelsa State where oil thieves operates with Cotonou boats and speed boats.

“The sites and the equipments were destroyed. No arrest was made during the operation as the suspects escaped on sighting the troops. Meanwhile efforts are on to apprehend the fleeing thieves and their collaborators and prosecute them accordingly,” he said.