The Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA had taken drastic decisions to Checkmate against extortion and over the last 5 months, 67 soldiers and 2 civilians have been apprehended. About 46 of the soldiers were sanctioned and demoted to lesser ranks......Read The Full Article>>.....Read The Full Article>>
GOC/Force Commander Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA, Major General Hassan Taiwo Dada said this when he receives the team of Defence Correspondents from Defence Headquarters Abuja who were on operational visit to the theatre of operations.
According to Maj Gen Dada, the theater through Operation CHECKMATE has continued to utilize clandestine operations to identify erring personnel.
He said this is in order to win the confidence of the civil populace had taken drastic decisions against some unscrupulous troops that have continued to tarnish the good image of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA by extorting commuters at various checkpoints.
He said between January and November 2024 the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA arrested 316 soldier, 371 Civilians for extorting commuters at various checkpoints.
In line with the JTF’s operational design, it has conducted series of notable operations that have significantly improved the security situation within its JOA. From January 2024 to November 2024
Anti-Illegal Bunkering. Several anti-illegal bunkering operations have been conducted and are still ongoing across the theater, especially in Abia, Imo and Anambra states.
The operations have led to tremendous successes in the arrest of the economic saboteurs in the SE region. Series of arrests were made, so many illegal refining dump site have been destroyed and a lot of tankers conveying illegally refined products were intercepted and destroyed in-situ.
The high point of these operations was the recent Op DRAGON SPIT conducted by all sectors for 4 weeks between late June and early July across the Division. As part of relentless troops operations against illegal bunkering activities within OPUK TOO.
A total number of 78 anti-illegal bunkering activities was carried out leading to arrest of over 60 suspected bunkerers as well as recovery of over 40 vehicles (of different model) and 33 motorcycles, all loaded with illegally obtained crude/products.
Additionally, a total number of quantity 993,000L of stolen crude oil and 237,000L of AGO was seized and destroyed in-situ while metal scraps used for building of illegal refinery weighing more than 57,000 kg have been recovered from the general area of Owaza. Some other Items recovered include, 117 pumping machines, over 98 wheelbarrows and about 21 km long syphoning crude hose were destroyed.
Similarly, over 217 illegal refineries were also destroyed in-situ in the TOO. These illegal bunkering activities were mainly recorded within Ukwa West LGA and Owaza in Abia State, Egbema in Ohaji/Egbema LGA and Oguta LGA of Imo State and ugwo, Ikpele in Ogbaru LGA of Anambra State.
General Dada said Troops will continue to intensify and frustrate efforts of oil thieves, bunkerers and their collaborators within OPUK TOO
He noted that efforts are sustained to check the activities of the terrorists, criminal gangs and secessionist activities within the AOR. Some modest achievements were recorded but not without some challenges.
Notwithstanding the operational challenges, OPUK will continue to intensify its effort to ensure the TOO is safe and the citizens can go about their normal businesses. The JTF OPUK will also engage, liaise and interface with other security agencies and community leaders in charting the way forward for a secured environment in the SE region. We will equally redouble our efforts at improving troops capacity through training while ensuring relevant equipment are provided to enhance our operations.
