Group faults anti-JTF protest, links action to oil thieves

A coalition of peace advocacy groups from Niger Delta has faulted the protest against the security task force, code-named Operation Delta Safe.

This followed the protest by a group in Abuja against the activities of the military outfit led by Rear Admiral Suleiman Apochi.

In an email message by the groups comprising nine states of the Niger Delta, they said oil thieves sponsored the protest.

The coalition, which called itself the Niger Delta Peace and Development Group, promised to unveil the identities of the oil thieves.

The statement by its Chairman, James Julius, said the protest was a misrepresentation of the existing peace, security and positive results that the military outfit has achieved in the area.

According to the coalition, those involved in economic sabotage, oil bunkering and vandalism in the area were behind the protest.

They alleged that the protest was a simple case of a sponsored fight by oil thieves against the successes of the task force commander, Apochi.

The groups commended the operations of the task force, which they said had restored and sustained the existing peace in the region.

The statement urged the security agencies to investigate the leaders of the Abuja protest.

The statement added: “The existing peace in the region was due to the efforts of the military. The JTF brought the recent renewed agitation and attacks on oil infrastructure under control.”