Delta Safe Arrests 699 Suspects For Oil Theft, Pipeline Vandalism, Others In 2022

Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta codenamed Operation Delta Safe, OPDS, says its operatives arrested 699 suspects for various crimes in the region in 2022.

Commander of the special security forces, Rear Admiral Aminu Hassan made this known at its operational headquarters in Yenagoa while briefing newsmen on its activities and achievements for the outgoing year. Rear Hassan also said over 1,800 illegal oil refining sites and 37 militants/sea robbery camps were destroyed in the joint operation areas cutting across twelve states just as seven suspects with links to illegal arms were paraded.

He said “the Joint Task Force in the South South conducted several operations in the outgoing year to ensure safe and peaceful operation of the oil and gas industry in the Niger Delta region as well as safeguard the people of the area.

“These include protection of oil and gas facilities, anti crude oil theft operations, clearance of militants and sea pirates’ camp and non kinetic conflicts resolution.” He said in the process, over N53bn was saved in terms of cost from crude oil, diesel, kerosene and petrol with 699 suspects arrested, 37 militants and sea robbers camp destroyed, 90 assorted illegal weapons and large caliber of ammunitions recovered with 1883 illegal oil refining sites dismantled. While appreciating the support from the Federal Government, the Defence Headquarters, Service Chiefs, other security agencies and stakeholders including the media for the successes recorded, he said, “the Joint Task Force resolved about 188 disputes involving multinational oil companies and host communities through the Civil Military relations and mediation efforts.”

Meanwhile, Commander of the Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Aminu Hassan paraded seven suspects nabbed along the waterways for allegedly concealing weapons in wooden boats conveying other cargoes. The Commander had met with the leadership of the Maritime Union, National Union of Road Transport Workers, Road Transport Employers Association and Timber Dealers Association urging them to be vigilant and report such illicit activities to the Joint security task force. Chairman of the Bayelsa Maritime Union, Mr. Ogoniba Ipigansi in an interview gave an assurance that the unions would cooperate with the security outfit. Items recovered were arms and ammunition including AK 47 rifles, bullets, cash, mobile phones and Automated Teller Machine(ATM) Cards.