The Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, operation 'Pulo Shield', has called for the support of community leaders in its efforts to stamp out oil theft in the region.
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This is contained in a statement signed by JTF's Media Coordinator, Lt.-Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, in Yenagoa on Sunday.
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The statement stated that the JTF Commander, Maj.-Gen. Bata Debiro, made the call at an anti oil theft advocacy and security assessment tour to Bonny Island.
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It stated that Debiro addressed a group of community leaders and youth drawn from Lagosgbene and the surrounding communities of Bonny Anchorage in Rivers.
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Debiro said oil bunkering, pipeline vandalism and illegal refineries were crimes that not only threaten the economic security of Nigeria, but also degraded the environment and aquatic life.
Oil theft is something that is done very often in this country and that really has to change. It's nothing to write home about....