From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
As part of efforts to fight crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region, the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), have discovered about 14 illegally refined sites in Ataba Island, close to Bonny Island Rivers.
The newly appointed Commander, JTF, (OPDS), Rear Admiral John Okeke who led a team of military officers, Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) amongst others, to the illegally refining sites, said the discovery was based on intelligence reports.
Okeke who had just assumed duty on Thursday vowed that the Niger Delta will not be a safe heaven for criminals under his watch.
“Any form of criminality we are going to make it very hot for them. With the help of the Navy, Army, Air Force, Police, NSCDS, the DIA, amongst others we were able to discover large illegal refined sites because nobody wins alone without collaboration.
“Like I said yesterday that it is with team work that we are going to achieve a lot in the fight against illegal bunkering and pipeline vandalism.
“Today we are in Ataba Island, close to Bonny Island, Rivers State, moving towards Akwa Ibom. What we discovered here is shocking, about 14 massive cooking sites on arrival of the team, one of them is still hot and they pulled out on the arrival of troops.
“The task force have been on ground for about three days waiting for our arrival and I want to commend them.
“The quick reform force comprises of the components of JTF so, it is not a one man show. Like I said when we collaborate it makes it easier, because we are fighting a common cause, in this we must achieve our mandate.
” We have removed a major illegal refined site, we have reduced the quantity that would have been removed from our pipeline.
“What it posed for the task force is that we are sustaining what my predecessor did and I want to thank God that within 24 hours we are able to achieve this feat, it shows that we are able to perform our duty.
He adviced criminals operating in the area to relocate or go into a legitimate business as the JTF under him would not tolerate crime and criminality.
“Because if you have a legitimate business you don’t have any business coming to the bush and of course the Nigerian Navy will always support anyone with legitimate business”
Okeke urged those indulging in pipeline vandalism and illegal bunkering to desist from such or they will never find peace.