Operatives of the Joint Military Task Force code named Operation Pulo Shield on Tuesday arrested a traditional ruler and three other persons over alleged involvement in the ownership of an unlicensed vessel and the theft of 2,000 metric tonnes of crude oil along the waterways of Akassa Community in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The monarch, who is from Twon Brass,was arrested after the crew apprehended on the seized vessel claimed he was their main sponsor.
According to a security source, operatives of the Joint Military Task Force have in the last few days been on the trail of the alleged unlicensed vessel and the owners.
“We discovered that the boys came under the cover of the night and siphoned crude oil from the oil pipelines along the Brass-Sagana River in Akassa area.
“We have discovered that some of these traditional rulers and community heads provide cover and funding for the activities of these oil thieves in Bayelsa. We have started a series of collaboration with communities but we will not spare those directly involved in the illicit trade.”
JTF Media Coordinator, Lt.Col. Onyenma Nwachukwu, said though he was yet to get the details on the arrest, “I would get in touch with our men in Sagana area and get back to you.”
