Yuletide, 2019 elections, reason we intensify surveillance in Niger Delta ― JTF

THE Commander, Joint Task Force (JTF), codenamed Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), Rear Admiral, Apochi Suleiman, has stated that the current heavy presence of soldiers and other security agencies in the Niger Delta is to disrupt the activities of criminal elements ahead of the Yuletide and the 2019 General Elections.

Apochi gave the hint at a press briefing at the Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS DELTA), Warri Naval Base, Warri, Delta State on Wednesday.

The JTF boss was flanked by Commander NNS Delta, Ibrahim Dewu, Commanding Officer, Sector 1, OPDS, Col. Al-Hassan Grema, and other top officers from other security agencies which constitute the OPDS.

Rear Admiral Apochi further maintained that the exercise was in line with the mandate of Operation 777 from the Defence Headquarters Abuja, which, he said, would last for five weeks across the Niger Delta.

The operation, the JTF boss noted, focuses on curbing crude oil theft, illegal refining of crude oil, illegal oil bunkering, communal clashes, kidnapping, sea piracy, cultism as well as to eliminate militancy in the region.

He said the operation was to discharge its given mandate to protect oil and gas infrastructure and other economic assets in the region.

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“The Operation 777, which was promulgated by the directive of the Chief of Defence Staff, Abuja, on the 10th of October 2018, was activated by Operation Delta Safe and aimed at further reinvigorating the operations of JTF.

“This was with a view of disrupting the activities of criminal elements ahead of the 2019 General Elections, and the Christmas and New year season.

“The operation also focuses on curbing crude oil theft, illegal oil refining, illegal bunkering, communal clashes, kidnapping, sea piracy, cultism as well as to eliminate militancy within the joint operational areas,” Apochi enthused.

According to him, the operation has deployed intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance together with the human intelligence assets to track militants’ camps, kidnappers’ dens and oil thieves.

He disclosed that the entire operation principally involves robust patrols around the creeks, major highways and flashpoints within the joint operation terrain in the Niger Delta.

He admonished folks in the creeks, towns and cities in the Niger Delta to exercise no fears, but provide useful information to JTF on criminals lurking around their domains in order to provide a criminal free environment for business activities and entrench in the region.