The Joint Military Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, Operation Pulo Shield, has said its troops have shut down no fewer than 40 illegal refineries in Bayelsa State.
JTF spokesman Lt. Col. Mustapha Anka, said yesterday that the operations were carried out along Alkini Kalatoro, Lagosbene and Epelene creeks in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.
Anka also said the JTF destroyed 21 Cotonou (large) boats, 78 dumps and 154 plastic drums filled with substances suspected to be stolen crude.
The spokesperson, who said the sites and the items were destroyed, said no suspect was arrested during the operation.
He added that troops had already been deployed in the area.
In a related development, Anka said troops of the Sector 1 of the JTF had intercepted and arrested four trucks with products suspected to be illegally refined products and crude oil along Akpokoka waterside in Koko, Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State.
He said the vehicles were in the custody of the JTF for preliminary investigation.
He said, “Two illegal crude oil refineries were also deetroyed at Egboisi community in Uhumwada LGA of Edo State.
“Other items discovered at the site were three pumping machines and a generator. The site and the items have been destroyed.”
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