Nigeria troops operating in the Niger Delta region, on Thursday, disclosed that they have arrested suspected bombers of oil installations and pipelines within the region.
The Joint Task Force operation, code named ‘Operation Pulo Shield’, made the revelation through the Commander, Maj-Gen. Alani Okunlola, in a statement signed by the Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre, Col. Ado Isa.
Maj-Gen Okunlola stated that the arrested suspects were currently under investigation to establish their level of involvement in the illegal act before handing them over to prosecuting agencies.
Okunola added that efforts were being made to track down others who are currently at large.
The commander said: “The success of the arrest was due to highly intensified patrols and cordon-and-search operations on the waterways, creeks and communities by the outfit.”
In the past few weeks, the number of attacks on oil installation and pipelines increased sharply in the Niger Delta region leading to loss of revenue and properties running into millions of dollars.
Among the installation attacked are the NNPC gas pipeline in Egwa 1, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State and Agip pipelines in Brass LGA of Bayelsa State.
Okunlola, while warning perpetrators to desist from such malevolent acts, also reassured the Niger Deltans of the determination of the task force to reduce militancy in the region.
He further called on them to come forward with any sensitive information that will aid the task force in its operation.
The Commander failed to state the number of people arrested or their names.
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