From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) has arrested two suspects in connection with crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region.
The two suspects, Magaji Musa and Umar Musa were arrested for having fake documents printed to carry out illegal sales of stolen crude oil.
The Commander of OPDS, Rear Admiral John Okeke who paraded the suspects at the headquarters at Igbogene, Yenagoa Local Government Area, disclosed that the duo was arrested when troops acting on a tip-off burst into their residence in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.
According to him, the suspects belong to a network of syndicates that specialise in printing fake documents that ensures free passage for vessels carrying stolen crude in Nigeria’s territorial waters.
He seized the opportunity to reiterate that the security outfit would not relent in its efforts to dislodge crude oil thieves and other criminal elements from the Niger Delta region.
‘’These syndicates specialised in printing fake documents, for stolen crude oil in the Operation Delta Safe Joint Operation Area. These syndicates are responsible for procuring fake documents to provide free passage for oil thieves’ activities in the Joint Operation Area.
Such acts have made it possible for oil thieves to evade arrest which have indeed contributed largely to the reported illegal oil bunkering operations in the oil-producing region.
“However, acting on intelligence on the activities of the syndicates, troops of Operation Delta Safe stormed the Port-Harcourt residence of the ring leader, one Mr Magaji Musa and Umar Musa.
Subsequently, documents were recovered from his house bearing fake stamps of some associations and waybills, and forged identity cards were recovered from the house.
“The suspects had confessed to procuring fake waybills, illegal sales of crude, and diversion of stolen crude oil from pipelines.
“Presently, the culprits are in the custody of the Joint Task Force, South-South Operation Delta Safe, and they will be paraded before the media and subsequently face prosecution in due course”, he said.