The Joint Task Force, South South, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) has stated that the activities and achievements of OPERATION DELTA SAFE with regards to its kinetic operations has resulted in the demobilisation of. 402 illegal refining sites, over 649 storage facilities, and 417 wooden boats, among others.
This was contained in the brief for DMO and Defence Correspondents team who visited the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force, South South, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) in Igbogene, Yenogoa, Bayelsa State.
The visit was the initiative of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, aimed to acquaint the DMO and Defence Reporters team with the activities of JTF SS OPDS with a view to highlighting the importance of the media in achieving OPDS mandate.
The DMO and Defence Correspondents team comprising of eleven reporters ably led by Navy Captain Ayi and assisted by Lt. Commander Bridget N. Bebia, were received at the headquarters of the JTF SS OPDS, by the representative of the OPDS Commander, Commodore Adedokun Siyambade, Commander, Maritime Component, Joint Task Force, South South, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS). The OPDS Commander, Rear Admiral J. U. Okeke was unavoidably absent.
According to the brief, the JF has made tremendous efforts to actualize its mandate within the period under review by conducting several operations to ensure a conducive environment for operations of the oil and gas industry in the Niger Delta to thrive as well as security of people.
It further stated that the operations conducted are kinetic and non-kinetic, which hs yielded some operational gains during the period under review. The kinetic operations conducted by the JF include protection of oil and gas facilities, anti-crude oil theft, clearance of militant’s camps, and illegal arms/ ammunition recovery, amongst others.
The brief also revealed that the kinetic operations are conducted under OP OCTOPUS GRIP, which was launched on 20 February. The operation was launched to consolidate on previous gains and eliminate threats arising from activities of oil thieves in the Niger Delta. On the protection of oil and gas facilities, the JF conducts static deployments, escort duties, and patrols around major oil and gas facilities within the JOA using troops from NA, NN, NAF, NPF and NSCDC. Accordingly, the brief noted that these deployments and patrols have drastically reduced infractions on su h facilities.
It also stated that as part of efforts to achieve its mandate, HQ JTF SS OPDS established 2×60 strong man Quick Response Force (QRF) comprising of SBS and NAF Regiment SF elements which was instrumental to the destruction of 18 IRS at Ataba Island area and over 30 IRS at Samkiri Community around Bonny Island in Rivers State. According to the brief, it was observed that the IRS were connected to active pipelines and well heads within the area.
The team arrested two vessels, namely MV MESSIAH 1 and MV KING JAMES, along Bonny channel for illegal bunkering activities. After investigation, MV MESSIAH 1 was found culpable and recommended to be handed over to EFCC for prosecution while MV KING JAMES was to be released to the owner, and both the owner, the vessel has been designated as person/vessel of interest. The brief also noted that to actualize its mandate, JTF has continued to partner with key oil industry players to safeguard the crude oil pipelines from activities of criminals. Such partnership, the brief noted, has so far yielded successes in the areas of curbing pipeline vandalism/infraction along Trans Niger Pipeline (TRP), Trans Ramos Pipeline (TRP) and Trans Escravos Pipeline (TEP) with resultant increase in terminal factor.
The brief also noted that in Anti-crude theft operations, the anti-crude oil theft (COT) efforts of JF during the period under consideration led to the demobilisation of about 402 illegal oil refining sites (each of which Contains varying numbers of camps), over 649 storage facilities and 417 large wooden boats, among others. Also, 63 vehicles and 25 tanker trucks engaged in conveying illegally refined products were arrested and handled appropriately. Additionally, about 8, 637,152 litres of crude oil and 1, 038, 825 litres of illegally refined AGO as well as about 24, 525 litres of DPK and 125,440 litres of PMS were denied the criminals. In the process of conducting these operations, 379 suspects were arrested in connection with various crimes. As part of its mandate, the JTF also embarked on Clearance of Militants’/Sea Robbers Camps. During the period in focus, the brief stated that the JF conducted several clearance operations aimed at ridding the JOA of militants and sea pirates/sea robbers taking refuge within the camps. During the period, about 14 such camps were destroyed as a result of the sustained tempo of clearance operations on sea robbers/pirates and other criminals’ camps within the JOA. Currently, the number of sea robbery and piracy cases in Nigerian waters as well as the Gulf of Guinea are at the lowest and zero level, respectively. Nonetheless, the Force would continue to maintain the tempo of clearance operations of all criminals’ camps to sustain current gains.
Illegal Arms/Ammunition Recovered. A major security concern across the JOA is the high proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW). These weapons embolden the criminals to carry out criminalities and confront security personnel.
Consequently, the JF conducts intelligence driven raid operations aimed at the recovery of illicit weapons in possession of criminals across the JOA. Within the period under review, a total of 74 illicit weapons were recovered from criminals with arrangements in place to hand over the same as directed. Efforts would continue at mopping up illicit arms by the JF to further deny the criminals freedom of action.
Anti-kidnapping Operations. Kidnapping for ransom is also a common occurrence across the JOA. Therefore, the JF conducts anti-kidnapping operations to compliment the effort of the NP and other GSAs to combat the threat. Just recently, on Sat 30 Mar 24, a total of 9 persons including one personnel of JTF were kidnapped by gunmen around the Ughelli axis of the East -West Road and were demanding huge ransom for their release. In a swift reaction, HQ OPDS initiated an INTEL led SAR operation and negotiation process for the release of the victims. Consequently, on Mon 1 Apr 24, the efforts yielded positive results leading to the rescue of all 9 victims unhurt as well as the arrest of 10 suspects involved in the dastardly act.
According to JTF, part of its mandate includes Restoration of Peace and Order across the JOA. For this generally, the operations of the OPDS have generally restored peace and order across the JOA. Presently, the Niger Delta region, which used to be insecure and a hub of criminality, is now relatively safe. The populace are enjoying a peaceful and tranquil environment as they go about their daily activities without fear. Although, there are still pockets of security issues, which are minimal and being contained.
According to the brief on NON-KINETIC OPERATION
In support of the protection of oil and gas infrastructure in the JOA, the JTF SS OPDS conduct non-kinetic operations. The JTF OPDS employs non-kinetic approaches to address some issues and challenges. The major non-kinetic effort of the OPDS is the Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) mediation efforts to resolve mostly Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) related disputes between host communities and Oil and Gas Companies. So far in 2024, the JF has amicably resolved about 23 CSR related disputes involving oil companies such as CHEVRON, SEEPCO, SPDC, AITEO, NECONDENAOC among others, with their host communities. These CSRs significantly contributed to providing a conducive environment for oil and gas businesses to thrive.
The OPDS carry out routine community outreaches that impact the wellbeing of the populace. These include medical outreaches, scholarships for indigent students, and various ecological support, such as the clearing of canals to reduce the impact of flooding on communities. A very good example is the annual end of year programme organised by HQ OPDS, where some members of the immediate Igbogene Community that host the HQ are supported with palliatives and incentives. Similarly, various Sectors and Units under command also carry out similar activities around their location.
The brief also dwells on OPDS Media Engagement and Relations.The role of the media in addressing contemporary security challenges can not be overemphasized. Therefore, the OPDS has maintained a very cordial working relationship with all media (print and electronic). Remarkably, the OPDS depends on the media to inform the public about her operations. The media provide coverage for several OPDS operations. Just recently, the media were invited to provide coverage when own troops uncovered a large concentration of IRS at Ataba Island in Degema LGA, Rivers State on 16 Feb 24 and a similar discovery at Samkri Community along Cawthorn Channel in Bonny LGA in same State on 5 March 24. The coverages enable the reporters to have an on-the-spot assessment to be able to have a balanced and unbiased reporting of the events. This ensured that the populace was well informed to prevent mischief makers from misinforming the public. The media is pleased to continue to be professional by engaging in investigative journalism that would ensure their reportage is balanced. The OPDS, on its part, would continue to offer support that may be required, especially with respect to providing the necessary information and clarifications that may be required from time to time.
The media, through her various enlightenment and sensitization packages/programmes, have been of immense support to the OPDS in achieving her mandate. For instance, the media has been at the forefront of campaigns against pipeline vandalism, COT/illegal refining, militancy, and other criminal activities that impair the smooth operations of the oil and gas sector. Similarly, the media educates the public on economic and environmental degradation caused by activities of COTs and illegal refiners. It is hoped that the media would continue in this regard to complement the efforts of the OPDS in raising the awareness of the populace on the evils of engaging in these illicit activities.
As part of efforts towards service delivery to the people and actualizing OPDS mandate, the JF also employs other media tools in ensuring the sustainability of media relations between OPDS and various media platforms which include; press releases, news releases, press briefings and interviews for prompt information dissemination on both operational and non-operational activities. Press monitoring on media reports on activities of the JF is also maintained in order to check public feedback. This has been quite helpful in the JF operational and non-genetic activities. These are done by the Joint Media and Campaign Centre of OPDS, thereby sustaining the good relationship with the media in both prints, broadcast, and social media platforms.
In conclusion, this brief captures the operational activities of OPDS in ensuring a relatively safe and peaceful environment for business activities to thrive with a positive impact on the smooth operations of IOCs in the JOA. Operations were tailored towards attainment of objectives in line with OPDS mandate which is to protect oil and gas infrastructure and deter militancy, sea robbery, crude oil theft and other forms of criminality within the JOA that could impact negatively on economic activities in the Niger Delta. The major contemporary security challenges within the JOA were crude oil theft, militancy, and sea robbery among others, including efforts made towards containing them and the role of the media in those efforts was graphically highlighted. The JTF has recorded modest achievements in ensuring adequate protection of OGIs, reduction in COT/illegal refining, defeating militancy, sea robbery, recovery of weapons from criminals, and the restoration of peace across the JOA The media is one of the critical stakeholders of the OPDS and continue to offer invaluable support especially in area of balanced reporting of the JTF activities and raising the awareness of the populace on the evils of engaging in COT activities. The OPDS hopes to sustain the current cordial relationship with the media and hope they sustain their support.
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