The troops of 'Operation Pulo Shield' foiled an attempt by suspected pipeline vandals to destroy AGIP oil pipeline at Okpoma community on June 9 while patrolling along Brass waterways in Bayelsa State.
According to the statement issued by the Coordinator of Joint Media Campaign Centre, Colonel Isa Ado, the suspected vandals had dug and deployed dynamites beneath the pipeline location in a swamp for detonation before the troops uncovered it.
The statement added that items recovered from the scene included two dynamite detonators, cable wire, and battery.
Also, troops of the Joint Force deployed to Ogbia Local Government Council of Bayelsa State conducted anti-illegal oil bunkering patrol as well as cordon and search operation along Ebelebiri and Agba communities on May 28 where six suspected pipeline vandals were arrested with eight Cotonou boats loaded with illegally acquired crude oil.
The sites and items recovered were destroyed in-situ, while the suspects were handed over to the prosecuting agency.
On the same day, troops of 'Operation Pulo Shield' carried out cordon and search operation in Oporoma community of Delta State in continuation of its raid on suspected pipeline vandals’ camps.
Ten suspected pipeline vandals were arrested during the operation, and following items were recovered from them - one pistol, 195 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 14 handheld radio set, 30 detonating codes and several phones with sim cards belonging to communication giants in Nigeria, diving equipment, one personal computer, IPAD, phones among others.
In a similar development, the Maritime Component of the Joint Force, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta, on May 26 and June 14 respectively arrested three suspected coordinators of several pipeline bombings across the Niger Delta region.
One of the arrested suspects, John Oboka (aka Jamaica) confessed to being part of the group that bombed the oil pipeline belonging Nigerian Petroleum Developing Company (NPDC) at Escravos in Warri South West Local Government Council of Delta State.
Several bombing equipments were recovered from the bombers.
"Meanwhile, the Joint Force once again use this medium to assure the good people of Niger Delta and indeed entire members of the public that 'Operation Pulo Shied' would not be deterred by the activities of these criminals as the Joint Force remains highly committed to carrying out its mandate professionally within the region.
"The Joint Force would continue to clamp down on fleeing criminals including pipeline vandals and intensify efforts towards dismantling all militant camps in the region.
"Those behind this heinous act of bombing of critical installations in the region are warned to have a rethink and toe the line of peace by adopting a legitimate means to address their grievances instead of taking the law into their hands.
"We must embrace and support the laudable and bold initiative by the government to dialogue for peace and development.
"The command also wishes to use this medium to call on the communities to guard their youths against acts capable of sabotaging the country's economy and also urged real people of the region to support the Joint Force by providing credible and timely information to aid its operations."
