Nigeria - JTF Destroy Petroleum Products Worth N100 Million

The Nigerian Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield, on Thursday destroyed more than 5,000 drums of petroleum estimated at N100 million in Ikang, Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River.

Capt. Joseph James, the Public Relation Officer, 13 Brigade, Nigerian Army, told newsmen at the NNPC beach at Ikang, that the drums were recovered from `petroleum thieves. '

James said that the seizures were made in an operation led by Major A.J. Mohammed on Ikang Beach.

``Over 2,000 drums were intercepted in the water ways while the remaining 3,000 were seized on land.

He said the taskforce was determined to curb the activities of the oil thieves.

James said the taskforce operation in Cross River and Akwa Ibom was aimed at strengthening the security and curbing illegal bunkering.

In their reactions, some residents of the Ikang area decried increased activities of oil thieves and commended the efforts of the JTF in checking them.

They blamed the increased illegal bunkering to the porous nature of the water ways over time.

Meanwhile two of the oil thieves arrested by the JTF have been handed over to the police.