Shield, Maj.-Gen. Bata Debiro, has said the outfit arrested no fewer
than 1,857 suspected oil thieves and destroyed 1,951 illegal
refineries in 2013.
Maj.-Gen. Bata Debiro said this while briefing journalists on the
operational activities of the outfit for 2013 in Yenagoa on Tuesday
night.
During the year under review, he said that the JTF conducted 1,025
anti-illegal oil bunkering patrols.
He said during those patrols, the outfit scuttled 81 barges, 1,117
Cotonou boats, 82 tanker trucks and 1,873 surface tanks.
Debiro added that 39,760 drums of illegally refined petroleum
products, 570 pumping machines and 75 outboard motor engines used as
apparatus to facilitate oil theft were seized and destroyed.
He also said 46 vessels of various sizes and capacities were also
arrested during the period.
The JTF boss said the outfit was able to achieve the above-mentioned
feat through constant patrols based on credible intelligence obtained
from various sources, particularly higher headquarters, other
components of the JTF, informants and good citizens.
Debiro said, "In spite of the difficult environment in which it
operates, the JTF has recorded modest successes, although still
confronted with a handful of challenges and constraints.
"These challenges were inadequate maritime platforms, insufficient
operational vehicles, lack of some essential kits and insufficient
manpower.
"The task force is however optimistic that most of these challenges
will soon be addressed through the efforts of Chief of Defence Staff,
Defence Headquarters and the National Economic Council intervention
plan initiated by President Goodluck Jonathan."
He said the outfit could stop illegal bunkering completely in the
region provided they were well equipped and the logistical challenges
facing the outfit were fully addressed.
He commended his officers and men for their diligence in the fight
against oil theft, piracy and other criminal activities in the region.
"We can stop illegal bunkering in our country. Afterall, it was
started by someone. But this cannot be fully achieved if the
logistical challenges facing the JTF are not addressed," he added.
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