The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has ordered 30 gunboats to be deployed to beef up security in the Niger Delta ahead of the 2015 general elections.

Outgoing Media Coordinator of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield, Col. Mustapha Anka, disclosed this yesterday during his end of year press briefing at the JTF headquarters in Yenagoa. He said while some of the gunboats had arrived, others were on the way.

"I am glad to state that Defence Headquarters has ordered 30 gunboats. Some have already been delivered while the rest are on the way." He said.

He added that the command impounded 53 vessels, 200 barges and destroyed 840 illegal refineries and arrested large numbers of Cotonu boats in the outgoing year.

"The JTF has vigorously carried out a sustained attack against illegal bunkering and an aggressive hunt against oil related crimes in the region with its campaign tagged, ‘Zero Tolerance On Oil Theft’.”

"JTF's vigor and determination in the war against crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other criminal activities in the Niger Delta is because they affect the socio-economic development of the region and Nigeria at large."

Continuing he said, "Additionally, the JTF has recorded successes in rescuing kidnapped victims in the Niger Delta. Notable among them is Chief Inengite Ntabai who was kidnapped at Otuoke in Ogbia LGA earlier this year. There was also the rescue of a traditional ruler, Augustine Ebikeme at Kokori LGA of Delta State, Mrs Osiyo Agama who was abducted on October 22 in Port Harcourt, Madam Patience Agbani and Mrs Florentina Paulker to mention but a few."

He also disclosed that the command embarked on confidence building patrols to dissuade the youth and community from involvement in illegal oil bunkering and other criminality in the region.

''Other successes recorded include constant confidence building patrols and establishment of Quick Response Unit to respond to emergencies and impending threats.

''Improved Intra Service/Agencies Relationship by the adoption of a proactive engagement with other security agencies.”

''In the aspects of mediation, the command made concerted efforts by organising series of arbitration and mediation meetings between the IOCs and host communities across the region. The efforts have, to a large extent, helped in dousing tension among the parties and reducing acts of sabotage against oil companies, ” he said.