Tag Archives: JTF

Suicide bombers kill JTF member, three villagers in Borno.

Posted on by
Reply

The Borno Police Command said two female and a male suicide bombers killed a civilian JTF and three villagers after the strapped Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were detonated in Umarari village on the outskirts of Maiduguri at the weekend.

All the suspected suicide bombers were also killed in the multiple explosions.

Spokesman of the Police Command, Victor Isuku, in a statement yesterday in Maiduguri said that after alighting from an unmarked vehicle, they started running into various directions of Umarari detonating the IEDs and killed four people and the suspects.

He said that the people that were killed include a local vigilante and a woman and her two children. He said eight other people were also injured in the multiple explosions.

The spokesman of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibrahim Abdulkadir, told The Guardian that the slain civilian JTF was attempting to prevent the bombers from entering the village.

“The vigilante was trying to stop them and that was when he was engulfed by the bomb blast and the woman was nearby,” he said.

In another development, a human rights advocacy group, Save Humanity Advocacy Centre, has urged the Federal Government to expel Amnesty International (AI) from Nigeria over what it termed repeated attempts by the international organisation to undermine Nigeria’s security architecture to the advantage of terrorists that have been tormenting the country.

The group also issued the AI a seven-day ultimatum to immediately leave Nigeria, saying Nigerians have had enough of their “absurdity and evil machinations.”

At a press conference in Abuja yesterday, Executive Secretary of the rights group, Mr. Ibrahim Abubakar, said failure of the Amnesty to leave the country after the seven days, Nigerians would be forced to hit the streets in a protest to compel the Federal Government to expel the international organisation.

Abubakar said Nigerians could no longer tolerate these deliberate acts of sabotage and indirect compromise of national security by the human rights organisation.

He said: “To this end, we are opening a register of protests in our office to collect the signatures of Nigerians, who are resentful to the destructive activities of Amnesty International as well as their dubious reports of hate and espionage on Nigerian soil. And failure of Amnesty International to respond to this plea as stipulated, they would incur the wrath of Nigerians who would have no option than to occupy their offices in the country until government compels the group to leave the country.”

He said the latest report of Amnesty International, which alleged human rights violations against -the Nigerian military and other arms of security agencies in combating acts of terrorism, separatism and extremism in the country, is another indication of the organisation’s continued quest to undermine Nigeria’s security.

 

Source: The Guardian

N8.5 billion fraud: Former JTF Commander, ex-NIMASA boss re-arraigned

Posted on by
Reply

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday re-arraigned before a Federal High Court, Lagos, Emmanuel Atewe, and three others over N8.5 billion fraud.

Mr. Atewe is charged alongside Patrick Akpobolokemi, a former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, and two other staff, Kime Engonzu and Josephine Otuaga.

The accused are standing trial on an amended 22-count charge bordering on fraud.

Their re-arraignment was sequel to the transfer of the former trial judge, Saliu Saidu, from Lagos to the Port Harcourt Division of the Federal High court.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the plea of the accused were taken afresh before the new judge, A.O Faji.

The defence counsel urged the court to allow the accused to continue on the earlier bail granted by the previous judge.

Based on the applications of the counsel, the judge ruled that the accused should continue on their bails.

At the last adjourned date, the EFCC had examined a prosecution witness, Adamu Yusuf, who told the court how the accused converted about N4.9 billion to dollars.

Mr. Yusuf said the accused used different companies and accounts to launder billions of money from the account of the Joint Task Force Operation.

The witness further testified that during investigation, letters of request were sent to GTbank, Heritage Bank, Diamond Bank, Stanbic-IBTC Bank, as well as First City Monument Bank (FCMB) demanding the account statements of beneficiaries of the account.

The anti-graft agency had alleged that the accused conspired to defraud NIMASA of N8.5 billion using six companies, namely — Jagan Ltd, Jagan Trading Company Ltd, Jagan Global Services Ltd, Al-Nald Ltd, Paper Warehouse Ltd, Eastpoint Integrated Services Ltd and De-Newlink Integrated Services Ltd.

The EFCC claimed that the accused committed the fraud between September 5, 2014 and May 20, 2015 in contravention of Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and Section 390 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

The court has fixed February 13 and February 17 for commencement of trial.

 

Source: NAN

Two Suspected Militants Shot In Bayelsa State.

Posted on by
Reply

Two suspected militants have been killed in the creeks of Bayelsa State by the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (ODS).

They were reportedly shot dead when the troops raided and destroyed their camp at Obama Flow Station in Nembe Local Government Area of the state.

A statement by a spokesman for the operation, Lieutenant Colonel Olaolu Daudu, said “troops of Sector Two carried out the raid following a tip-off by locals”.

Daudu identified one of the suspects as a notorious criminal popularly known as Labista.

“Labista, who was on the wanted list of security agencies, was said to be behind some high profile kidnapping, killing of security personnel in ambush, piracy, armed robbery and other criminal activities,” the statement read.

Daudu further said: “Labista and his cohort dived into the river in a bid to escape while the raid was ongoing and were engaged by troops. At the end of the operation the bodies of two notorious criminals were found floating on water.

“They were recovered and deposited at government mortuary.

“Items recovered are two single barrel guns, cutlass and four speed boats”.

He also quoted the Commander, ODS, Rear Admiral Apochi Suleiman, as assuring the people of the region of their safety and security.

Suleiman also encouraged the people not to condone any form of sabotage, vandalism or acts of criminality because of their negative effects on the environment and economy.

Militancy resurfaced in Niger Delta region of Nigeria in the second quarter of 2015, with the militants pushing for the emancipation of the region, attacking oil installations in the region.

Their activities last year forced Nigeria’s crude oil output down to less than a million barrels per day, according to Nigeria’s minister of information.

Niger Delta Avengers Weakened as JTF Foils Another Attack on Chevron Escravos Pipeline in Delta

Posted on by
1

President Muhammadu Buhari wednesday held a closed-door meeting with the leadership of the Nigerian Senate.

The president also met separately with Senators from the South-east.

The senators at the meeting, held at the president’s office at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, were led by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu.
After the meeting with the lawmakers, they exited while Buhari held a personal meeting with Saraki.

The meeting came about a week after the Senate rejected Buhari’s request to borrow $29.9 billion from external sources.

The lawmakers, across party divide, rejected the application without debate, saying it did not come with relevant information such as purpose, means of repayment and among others.

Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Ekweremadu said: “For us from the South-east, we believe that dialogue is better than any other form of engagement. So we decided to visit the president and present to him some of the concerns of the South-east including the issues of roads, general infrastructure: the rail, airports. We also discussed the issue of security with him and of course the issue of Independent Peoples of Biafra (IPOB.) We had a good conversation with the president, and he promised to look into the issues.”

The Chairman of the South-east Caucus in the Senate, Eyinnaya Abaribe, who was also at the meeting with the president, said the South-east caucus came to see the president over raging issues in the region.

He said: “This is the South-east caucus in the Senate and we came to see the president because of the issues we have in the South-east.

“We had a fruitful discussion with the president. He has promised us that he is going to look into the problems of region.

“We know that there are problems everywhere but we also believe that the South-east is the zone that is far much shortchanged at this time than other zones.

We also talked about the issue of appointments from the South-east, especially with respect to the National Security Council. The president also told us that governors of the South-east have also engaged him on the same problems we engaged him on.

“There is a concerted effort from the people of the South-east to be sure that we engage with this government meaning fully.

“We are reassured with the response we got from the president and we look forward to further interaction with him in this manner.”

Others in the delegation were: Sam Egwu, Hope Uzodima, Andy Uba and Chukwuka Utazi.

Credit: ThisDay

JTF invades militants’ camp, kill notorious militant in Bayelsa.

Posted on by
Reply

The Joint Military Task Force, Operation Delta Safe on Wednesday said it has invaded a militant camp and killed a notorious militant in Bayelsa State.

This was in a statement by the Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre, ODS, Lt. Col. Olaolu Dauda on Wednesday.

Dauda said a suspected militant kingpin known as Edoboy was killed during the invasion.

He said, “The troops in conjunction with special forces conducted patrols in Sand-sand fishing camp in Bayelsa State and came upon suspected militants who had regrouped to resuscitate a camp earlier destroyed.

“Our troops engaged the suspected militants and killed one of them popularly called Edoboy.  He was one of the notorious kingpins on the wanted list of security agencies who had been terrorising innocent members of the communities in the area.”

Dauda also said another militant was killed when troops of sector 2 encountered a group of suspected sea robbers while on patrol.

He said others escaped with injuries and one AK 47, two magazines, 29 rounds of 7.62 milimeter special, 10 empty cases, seven charms, two head warmers and a cutlass were recovered.

JTF Discovers 23 Human Skulls, Arrests 44 IPOB Members

Posted on by
14

Operatives of the Joint Task Force, also known as Operation Delta Safe, disclosed on Thursday that it discovered a total of 23 decomposing human skulls and a human skeleton during raids on militant camps belonging to suspected members of the Bakassi Strike Force in Bakassi and Akpabuyo local government areas of Cross River State.

 A statement issued on Thursday by the Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre, Operation Delta Safe, Lieutenant Colonel Olaolu Dauda, said the camps located at Ikot Ene Idem, Abakpa and Ikang Inam communities in the Bakassi and Akpabuyo councils of the state were destroyed on Wednesday.

 It also said that 44 suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra were arrested during the inauguration of the Bayelsa State chapter of the group.

It said the arrested suspects were apprehended at Lakeview Club, along Mabinton Estate, Okaka Road in Bayelsa State while trying to disrupt public peace.

 The statement read, “In fulfillment of Operation Delta Safe’s mandate to rid the Niger Delta region of crude oil theft, sea robbery, all forms of criminality and protection of oil and gas facilities, on October 26, 2016, troops of Sector 4 in Cross River State, acting on a tip-off, carried out raids of Ikot Ene Idem, Abakpa and Ikang Inam communities in the Bakassi and Akpabuyo local government areas.

 “During the cordon-and-search operations, troops discovered four militant shrines with 23 human skulls in various stages of decomposition, a complete human skeleton and several other human body parts. The shrines were destroyed as troops continued the search for the perpetrators of these heinous acts against humanity.”

Credit:

http://punchng.com/jtf-discovers-23-human-skulls-arrests-44-ipob-members/

How NIMASA transferred N8.5bn to JTF – EFCC witness.

Posted on by
1

An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, witness, Teslim Ajuwon, yesterday, told a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, that Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, under Patrick Akpobolokemi as Director General, moved the sum of N8.5 billion, into the account of the Joint Task Force, JTF, Operation Puelo Shield.

Ajuwon, a Compliance Officer with a first generation bank, stated this in his evidence at the commencement of trial of a former Commander of the Military Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta, Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Atewe.

Atewe is being tried alongside Patrick Akpobolokemi, Kime Engozu and Josephine Otuaga over N8.5 billion fraud.

They are been prosecuted by the EFCC on 11 counts bordering on the offence.

Ajuwon, led in evidence at the resumed hearing in the case, the prosecution counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, narrated that on the whole, NIMASA made an in-flow of cash to the tune of N8.5 billion into the account of the JTF, Operation Puelo Shield.

He informed the court that between September 5 and 16, 2014 a total of N1.8 billion was moved from the said account, into the accounts of Jaggan Ltd, Paper House Service Ltd, East Point Services Ltd and Al-nald Ltd.

BBOG: Official Position on the Negotiated Release of 21 #ChibokGirls

Posted on by
1

We welcome reports from the Presidential Spokesperson, Garba Shehu, of the negotiated release of 21 of our abducted #ChibokGirls today. This wonderful development confirms what we have always known about the capacity of our goverment to rescue our #ChibokGirls.

While awaiting further details, we take this opportunity to salute the work of our security services at the front lines – the commitment, resilience and tireless efforts of our members of the Multi-national Joint Task Force and the civilian JTF. We also thank the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Swiss government and all negotiators involved in securing the release.

Following this development, we trust that our government will continue to work to keep the safety, security, and well-being of the other girls a high priority. We further urge the international community to continue to support our government’s effort to rescue all other abducted Nigerians, so that parents, the Chibok community, the nation, and the world can finally put an end to this nightmare once and for all.

JTF Foils Kidnap Attempt, Arrests Five Militant Suspects

Posted on by
Reply

Troops of the Joint Military Force (JTF) deployed to the Niger Delta Operation Delta Safe, have foiled a kidnap attempt, freed two victims and arrested five suspected militants in multiple operations, according to a statement.

The statement, signed by Lt.-Cdr. Thomas Otuji, Deputy Spokesman, JTF, issued on Friday in Yenagoa, stated that five suspected militants were arrested in the operations by several components of the force in the past 10 days.

Otuji attributed the successes recorded to distress calls from members of the public.

‘’Several illegal refineries were also destroyed during the operations. Troops immediately swung into action and rescued the victims.

“One Mrs Vanessa Ilepi and Mrs Tega Okoro were kidnapped at gunpoint at Amukpe community in Warri.

“Effort is ongoing to apprehend the suspected kidnappers who escaped.

‘’A locally made single barrel gun was recovered from the arrested suspected kidnapper,’’ he said.

Read More:

JTF foils kidnap attempt, arrests five militant suspects

Edo guber: Army Confirms Arrest of Miscreants with Election Materials

Posted on by
Reply

Amid the controversy over the arrest of some persons alleged to be in possession of sensitive election materials, the Nigerian Army has confirmed holding some miscreants but denied that they were journalists.

Soldiers of the 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) were alleged to have raided a hotel where some people alleged to be journalists were arrested.

An online publication was said to have made the allegation. But, a statement by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR, Col. Sani Usman refuted the report.

The statement explained that none of those arrested explained that they were journalists, neither did they show any means of identification to that effect.

On the contrary, the army said: “A number of incriminating items including the Independent National Electoral Commission’s sensitive materials were recovered from them.”

Usman confirmed that the troops actually arrested a deserted soldier and other suspected miscreants in possession of some election materials.

The statement titled “Re: Edo Elections: Soldiers, DSS Molest and Arrests 10 Journalist in Edo” reads in part: “It is important to state that sequel to the prevailing security situation in the state, which led to the postponement of the earlier scheduled gubernatorial election, there were credible security reports that some unpatriotic persons have hired hoodlums with the intention of causing mayhem during the forthcoming election.

“The reports further showed that the suspected hoodlums have been lodged in some hotels within Benin City and its environs. Acting on this, the DSS, in conjunction with troops of 4 Brigade Nigerian Army carried out cordon and search operations in the suspected areas.

“This led to the arrest of 10 suspected persons in one of the hotels. Among the suspects arrested was a deserted soldier. It is pertinent to state that none of the arrested suspects identified himself as a journalist or mentioned the media he reports for, contrary to the allegations of the online media.”

However, the statement added that the arrested persons were well handled, in line with the operational codes of the services and the tradition of dignified human treatment.

It stated that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Yusuf Buratai, has zero tolerance for unprofessional and unethical conduct such as harassing and molesting innocent citizens.

Reports said those arrested have been handed over to the DSS for further investigation.

The state chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Roland Osakwe, said he was aware that some arrests had been made.

He, however, said he could not confirm their identity as they did not register their presence at the NUJ state secretariat.

Meanwhile, as part of the activities to check the reported security challenges, the Nigerian Army has promised to deploy drones during the governorship election.

Group asks FG to withdraw JTF from Imo oil communities

Posted on by
Reply

A pressure group, Imo Mass Movement, IMM, has called on the Federal Government, to quickly withdraw the men of the Joint Military Task Force, deployed to the Awarra Court Area in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, to avoid truncating the ongoing conflict resolution process in the area.

This was stated in a release yesterday in Owerri and signed by the Publicity Secretary of IMM, Comrade Marcellinus Enyia.

The group said the peace building process has already been threatened by the deployment of the military in the affected areas adding that, the use of military, which has opted for the use of “force” as alternative to peace would further displace the people in the oil rich communities as well as cripple their social lives and economic activities. They also expressed disappointment that at a point of recording commendable strides in restoring peace in the troubled areas, the military entered.

They also alleged that some disgruntled elements from the affected communities and government officials are bent on destroying the peace process which they said had long been initiated by the Conflict Prevention Committee, CPC, of Partners for Peace in the Niger Delta, (P4P), Imo State Network.

“The violent conflict in Awarra Court Area is cause by long period of neglect by the multinational oil companies operating in the court area.”

“The Imo Mass Movement (IMM) note with dismay the recent deployment of the joint military taskforce to Awarra Court Area in Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area (L.G.A) Imo State by the Imo State Government in connivance with some elites of Awarra Court Area of Ohaji-Egbema L.G.A.”

“Since July 2, 2016 after the Peace Building Consultative meeting of members of Conflict Prevent Committee (CPC) of Partners for Peace in the Niger Delta (P4P) Imo State Network with the leaderships and commanding hierarchy of the two armed militant groups – Niger Delta Rescue Force (NDRF) and Niger Delta Red Squad (NDRS) met in Ochia and Awarra Autonomous Communities respectively to agree on temporary cease fire. We note that the meeting was very fruitful because since after the meeting and cease fire agreement, members of the communities who were taking refuge in neighbouring communities started returning to the communities to commence their economic and social life.”

“IMM call on Imo State and the Federal government of Nigeria not to use military option to crush the upsurge of militancy in the Awarra Court Area which has crippled economic and social activities in the area since over three years the violent conflict got escalated.”

“On the foregoing, we call on the Imo State and Federal Government of Nigeria to compel the multinational oil companies operating in the area – Waltersmith Petroman Oil Ltd, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) to stop the ongoing policy of divide and rule.”

“Finally, we call on the Imo State and Federal Government of Nigeria to immediately withdraw the joint military taskforce recently deployed to Awarra Court Area and to engage the services of the Peace building and mediation experts to continue the ongoing peace building process in the area. Violent cannot be a solution to violent – Awarra Court Area need peace.” they stated.

Why We Can’t Hand Over Tompolo To JTF, EFCC —Ijaw Elders, Youths

Posted on by
Reply

IJAW elders in Delta State, yesterday, said it was impracticable for them to hand over the former General Officer Commanding, GOC, of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, to security agencies because they neither have the power to do so nor know his (Tompolo) whereabouts currently.

They also said that they do not have any information that Tompolo was involved in the three-day bombing of crude oil and gas pipelines in the state, while many see the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC’s case against him as a form of persecution.

The Federal Government, last weekend, asked Ijaw communities to hand over suspects  involved in the bombing, alleged to be hiding in their areas, to security agencies, while the Joint Task Force, JTF, had earlier threatened to hold community leaders responsible for further acts of pipeline vandalism in their communities.

Chairman, Ijaw (Izon) Okosu –Otu (Ijaw Council of Elders), Delta State, Chief Bare Etolor, said, “It is unfair for the Federal Government to ask Ijaw communities to handover suspects that carried out the bombing because we do not know them. In addition, I do not see how anybody expects us to handover Tompolo to security agencies because we do not have the power to do that, except they want to humiliate us.”

Another Ijaw leader in Gbaramatu Kkingdom, Chief Godspower Gbenekame, who re-echoed Etolor’s position, said it was impossible for them to handover Tompolo to the government.

Some Niger Delta and Ijaw youth groups, including the Niger Delta Security Watch Organszation of Nigeria, NWSON and Ijaw People’s Development Initiative, IPDI, threw their weight behind the elders, saying that the understanding of many Ijaw people was that the government was persecuting Tompolo because he refused to join the All Progressives Congress, APC.

However, Executive Director of Centre for the Vulnerable and Underprivileged, CENTREP, Warri, Delta State, Mr. Oghenjabor Ikimi, said there was nothing wrong in the residents of the affected areas and ex-militants giving useful information to security agencies to unmask the culprits.

Gov. Shettima Meets Civilian JTF, ?Announces Welfare Package For Members In Borno

Posted on by
33

Following recent attacks by Boko Haram insurgents in some parts of Borno State, Governor Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday, held a meeting with the youth volunteers involved in counter insurgency operations popularly known as “Civilian JTF” during which he appreciated their gallant efforts and unveiled welfare packages for them.

The meeting held at the Multipurpose hall of the Government House in Maiduguri.

The governor held closed door discussions with leaders of the volunteer group focusing on enhancing community policing.

At an open session with majority of the volunteers, Governor Shettima paid glowing tributes to them for sacrificing their lives towards complimenting the efforts of armed forces to fight for the restoration of peace in the state.

He said no amount of welfare package can equal the sacrifices being made by the volunteers especially given the fact that some of them had laid their lives for Borno State.

The governor said despite its meager resource, the Borno state Government would expend whatever it takes to ensure that the volunteers were properly paid, equipped and highly motivated.

He announced a bonus of N20 million naira to the volunteers while directing that any backlog of ?allowances be paid immediately.

Credit: PremiumTimes

5 Killed, 7 Injured As IPOB, MASSOB Clash With JTF In Onitsha

Posted on by
1

Five persons were, yesterday, shot dead at the Niger Bridge Head, while seven others sustained varying degrees of injuries when members of the Indigenous people of Biafra, IPOB, and Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, clashed with Joint Task Force, JTF, comprising the  Army and the Police, which mounted road block at the Niger Head Bridge.

Four of the victims shot dead were members of both IPOB and MASSOB, while one person is said to be a soldier, who was grabbed by the  mob, angry with the way soldiers opened fire on the jubilating crowd that included non pro-Biafra agitators, and fell four of them before they ran for their lives, leaving the victims behind.

All the markets around the Niger Bridge Head, including the Bridge Head Market, Onitsha Patent and Propitiatory Medicine Dealers Market (Ogbo Ogwu Market) and other markets located around the bridge, including Abada Market were quickly shut down, following sporadic shooting by the military to scare the jubilant crowd away.

Meanwhile, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, yesterday,  ordered the Department of State Service, DSS, to immediately release  the detained  leader of IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.

The court directed that Kanu, who had been in detention since October 17,  should be released “unconditionally.”

Ruling on the fundamental rights suit by Kanu, the trial judge, Justice Ademola Adeniyi, said there was no basis for the applicant to remain in custody since there was currently no charge pending against him.

The court order came barely 24 hours after an Abuja Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting at Wuse Zone 2, struck out a one-count  charge the Federal Government preferred against the IPOB leader.

Meanwhile, according to an eye-witness at the Onitsha Head Bridge, who was coming from Asaba end of the bridge, the Biafra agitators were said to be marching on the road near the River Niger Bridge, chanting solidarity songs in jubilation for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, and were accosted by the soldiers, who ordered them to go back, and disagreements ensued before the soldiers allegedly opened fire on them.

Another version of the story had it that, the pro-Biafra agitators and those sympathetic to their cause, were jubilating, singing and dancing near the bridge and in annoyance, the soldiers, who had been guiding the bridge since the last shooting, during which unarmed nine protesters were killed and 18 others  injured,  opened fire on them, gunning down four.

Credit: Vanguard

16 Students Arrested By JTF For Alleged Cult Related Activities

Posted on by
1

Members of the Special Taskforce on Jos crisis sector 2, located along Dogon Dutse, Jos North local government area of Plateau State, stormed the University of Jos night and arrested 16 students.

According to a student of the institution, Ogene Jude, who is also the National President of the Political Science Students Association, the affected students were picked at the hostels at about 2:00 a.m. early hours of Tuesday.

The student union leader said efforts to secure the release of the students from the security agents have not been fruitful, as the taskforce denied them access to their colleagues and refuse to inform them of the offence against the said students.

The media officer of the Special Taskforce, Ikedichi Iweha, said via telephone interview that he required more time to confirm the incident. Subsequently, Mr. Iweha, an Army Captain, did not pick his calls when our reporter called back.

But a security officer who pleaded not to be named because he was not authorized to speak to journalists on the matter confirmed the arrest of the students. He said the students were arrested and are being interrogated for their alleged involvement in cult related activities.

Read More: premiumtimesng

JTF Arrests 18 Suspects Of Oil Theft, Destroys 31 Illegal Refineries

Posted on by
2

The Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, ‘Operation Pulo Shield’, arrested 18 suspected oil thieves and destroyed 31 illegal oil refineries in multiple raids in July.

This is contained in a statement issued by Lt.-Col. Isa Ado, media coordinator of the JTF, in Yenagoa yesterday.

It stated that troops of JTF deployed at Iguododo community and Chanomi Escravos in Orhionmwon and Warri South West Local Government Areas of Edo and Delta discovered and destroyed 15 illegal refining camps.

The statement noted that the suspects operated with four Cotonou boats, seven plastic reservoirs, 34 drums and 21 surface tanks filled with illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (diesel). It stated that other items discovered and destroyed were 21 cooking ovens and eight pumping machines.

The statement stated that the suspects fled on sighting the troops. “The squad also arrested 16 suspects for other criminal offences ranging from kidnapping, armed robbery, sea piracy, cultism and pipeline vandalism.

“Items recovered from them include locally made gun with live rounds of ammunition and axe. The suspects are in custody of the JTF for preliminary investigation before handing them over to prosecuting agency,” it stated.

Read More: sunnewsonline

JTF Destroys 32 Illegal Refineries In Delta

Posted on by
1

The Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shied, on Wednesday said it had destroyed 32 illegal refineries in Delta.

Isa Ado, the Coordinator of the Joint Media Campaign Centre, disclosed this to media personnel at the headquarters of the 3 Infantry Battalion, Effurun in Delta.

Ado, who spoke on behalf of the Commander of JTF, Operation Pulo Shield, Maj-Gen Emmanuel, said the operations were carried out in seven days by the Sub-sector 1 of the JTF in Effurun.

He said the actions were carried out in Odimodi, Yokri, Forcados, Oteghele, Opumani and Beneath Island communities in Burutu and Warri South-West Local Government areas of the state.

Ado also said the operation saw the destruction of 86 drums and 25 surface tanks filled with stolen crude oil, adding that 27 dugout pits were discovered in the raid.

Over 10 tents belonging to the criminals were reportedly also set ablaze.

“Other illegal oil bunkering equipment discovered during the operation includes 29 cooking oven and 10 pumping machines.

“The sites and the products were destroyed in line with the JTF operation in Niger Delta.

“The operation is a continuous one based on intelligent information aimed at eradicating illegal oil bunkering in the region,” he said.

Ado said JTF would not relent in its efforts at stemming illegal bunkering in the creeks and territorial waterways.

“We have been highly motivated with the procurement of 30 fighting gun boats and 30 operational patrol vans to combat crime in the region.

“I assure you of the command’s determination in the war against oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other criminal activities affecting the socio-economic development in the region,” he said.

Ado, however, called on the people of Delta and indeed the entire Niger Delta region to assist the task force with useful information to enable it track miscreants in the region.

Credit: NAN

JTF Seizes Vessel Carrying 1,500 Metric Tons Of Stolen Oil In Bayelsa

Posted on by
Reply

The Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta, Operation Pulo Shield, on Friday said it has impounded a vessel laden with 1,500 metric tons of illegally refined automotive gas oil.

The spokesperson of the JTF, Ado Isa, a lieutenant colonel, told reporters at the task force’s headquarters in Yenagoa on Friday that the vessel registered as MV Europort was seized at Foropa waterways in Bayelsa.

Mr. Ado said operatives of the JTF on patrol duties at about 2.30 a.m. on June 2 arrested the vessel in Forropa creeks in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area in Bayelsa.

“The 2,000 metric tons capacity vessel was arrested by the JTF operatives patrol team following a tip off at about 02.30 hrs on 2 June, 2015,” Mr. Ado said.

“The vessel was discovered carrying 1,500 metric tons of illegally refined automotive gas oil. The suspects boarded a speed boat and sailed into the high sea on sighting the JTF troops.”

Read More: premiumtimesng

Sarkin Hausawa Exposes 1000 Boko Haram Suspects in South West

Posted on by
20

Reports provides that 1,000 members of the Boko Haram insurgents in parts of the South West.

Sarkin Hausawa of Lagos, Alhaji Sani Kabir, speaking in Abuja said, “All the Arewa sarkis (kings) in the south west are up and doing to make sure that we do not allow any breakdown of law and order in our communities.”

He made this known during a visit to the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Alhaji Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, adding that the arrested Boko Haram members were eluding from the Civilian JTF/military onslaught on the insurgents in the North East and those who came to the South West to further the insurgency. He also said that the arrests were made in various separate times.

He further stated that, they are informing “our leaders that when new people come into their midst, they should observe their behaviour. Some of the leaders in the south west are northerners, some of them are from Borno State, they can know. There were even instances where JTF came from Borno State to identify some of them.”