Troops of Operation Delta Safe on Thursday paraded 12 suspected illegal oil dealers and seven tankers loaded with over 210,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) in Effurun, Delta State.

During the parade the Sector 1 Commander of Operation Delta Safe, Col. Alhassan Grema at the 3 Battalion Barracks of the Nigerian Army in Effurun told journalists that the suspects were arrested with a truck, car, bus and other materials at different locations in the state.

According to him, “Since the activation of the Operation Delta Safe, we have been quite busy securing oil facilities within the Niger Delta region. We have effected several arrests and seizures.

“Today, it’s my pleasure to hand over some seized items and some arrested suspects to officials of NSCDC in Delta State for prosecution. Specifically, on behalf of the Joint Task Force Commander, I will be handing over seven tankers, a bus, a truck, a Golf Car and several exhibits as well as 12 suspects.”

Grema added, “We have effected several arrests of Cotonou boats used in illegal bunkering in the creeks. Most of those we impounded were destroyed in situ.”

The suspects were handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

Azeez