Warri — Fifty persons have been arrested by the security Joint Task Force (JTF) in connection with illegal bunkering activities in different creeks of Delta state.

More than 150 illegal refineries were also destroyed in different parts of the state during the operations, which the JTF authorities attributed to a stepped-up intelligence surveillance as well as effective blockade of most of the waterways and land routes hitherto used by the criminals to beat off security constantly on their trail.

THISDAY learnt that the market value of the products seized or destroyed runs into several hundreds of millions of naira.

JTF Sector One Commander, Col Jamil Sarham, disclosed this while briefing newsmen yesterday on the post-amnesty activities of the security agency in the Niger-Delta at the sector headquarters Warri, Delta State. Three vessels, christened Tim Begele, MT Leila and MT Efemana, seized in connection with the illegal activities were later inspected by newsmen where they were berthed at the Warri Port in Warri South local government area.

He however said that mushrooming illegal refineries of petroleum products has become the latest headache of the JTF after the successful disarmament programme under the amnesty arrangement of the Federal Government. But he vowed that JTF would not rest until the thriving illegal business was brought to its knees.

Sarham sued for continued cooperation of the people of the area, stressing the agency would not abdicate its mandate of arresting the trends of "ethnic, violence, criminal activities of the militant groups in the Niger-Delta restore law and order and ensure a secured and enabling environment for social and economic activities of the citizens and that of oil industries."

He further noted that arms, including two locally made pistols and a single barrel rifle were recovered during the operations that included raids on "illegally refined petroleum product outlets notably at Niger Cat, Pessu Market, Ogbe Ijoh Main Market, Udu Harbour Market, Aladja Trailer Park, Sand-Sand Market and Chagiolo among others."

The apprehended suspects include the Lebanese captain of one of the impounded vessels and those arrested for their alleged

involvement in the operation of illegal refineries especially in the coastal parts of Delta state.

The JTF has also impounded four barges, 26 boats and 16 fuel tankers loaded with products suspected to be illegally obtained petroleum products.

Ten vehicles, including cars and buses, allegedly used to facilitate the illegal bunkering and refining activities were also seized by the JTF officials.

Hundreds of surface tanks, over 2,000 drums and assorted containers allegedly used in carrying out the nefarious operations

have either been seized or destroyed by the JTF personnel during the series of operations leading to the arrest of the 50 suspects.

The 50 suspects, including the heavily bearded Lebanese captain who leaped apparently from an injured right leg, were paraded before newsmen at the Effurun barracks; where the recovered tanker lorries, surface tanks and thousands of drums have taken a substantial space.

Sarham said that the suspects and the recovered items would appropriately be channelled or handed over to the Economic and

Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further necessary legal action.