Lt.-Col. Isa Ado, Media Coordinator of the JTF, revealed this in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state on Sunday.
He said 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 suspects operated with four Cotonou boats, seven plastic reservoirs, 34 drums, 21 surface tanks filled with illegally refined Automated Gas Oil.
Other items discovered and destroyed were 21 cooking ovens and eight pumping machines.
But no suspect was arrested, according to Ado.
“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,” he stated.
Ado also disclosed the arrest of a notorious robbery suspect by troops deployed at Ughelli in Delta following a distress call from Afiesere community. The suspect was arrested along with a locally made short gun and three live cartridges.
JTF troops in conjunction with Southern Ijaw Oil and Gas Task Force destroyed 16 illegal bunkering sites along Obi creek, Gbenekrukru, Oloma and Ogbonga waterways of Bayelsa and Rivers, respectively.