JTF frees kidnap victim, arrests two suspected oil thieves

The Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta, Operation Pulo Shield, said it had rescued a kidnap victim and arrested two suspected oil thieves within the last 10 days.

The task force, in a statement issued yesterday in Yenagoa by Lt.-Col. Isa Ado, said it had also recovered arms from the suspects and destroyed two illegal refinery sites during the multiple operation.

“Troops of the JTF have rescued Mr. Julius Omeregie who was kidnapped by gunmen at Okhuaihie community in Uhumwode Local Government Area of Edo.

“The victim and his family of five were abducted in his Honda CRV Jeep but the kidnappers later abandoned the vehicle with the family members before whisking the victim away.

“On getting the information, troops of the JTF in conjunction with the Nigerian Police and the local vigilante, combed the area and rescued the victim.

“One of the kidnappers was killed during a shootout between the troops and the kidnappers.

“A pump action gun with 10 rounds of cartridges was recovered while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects,” the statement said.

It said that in another operation, two suspected oil thieves were also arrested at Oreerokpe community in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta while conveying illegally refined diesel in a Volkswagen Jetta car with number plate Delta AM 306 JRT.

It said the suspects reportedly confessed to have carried out oil bunkering around Nigerian Port Authority waterside in Warri South Local Governmemnt Area of Delta.



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