JTF Describes Report Of Alleged Attack On Oil Facility, Others As “Fake News”

The Joint Task Force (JTF) codenamed Operation Delta Safe has described recent media reports of alleged attack on oil installations in Bayelsa and reported deployment of military helicopter to Gbaramatu, Delta state as “fake news”.

Reacting to media reports, Major Ibrahim Abdullahi, Coordinator Joint Media Campaign Centre in a statement entitled: “Unfounded Rumours Calculated To Create Mischief”, the task force said that the reports were handiwork of desperate and disgruntled elements within the society who have vowed to foment trouble by spreading unfounded rumours aimed at misinforming the public and creating panic.

According to him, “the string of these rumours began with reports that CONOIL facilities/pipeline at Koluama 1 settlement of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area have been attacked and blown up on Saturday 5th January 2019. The report turned out to be fake.

“Furthermore between Saturday 19th to Sunday 20th January 2019 another fake news started rearing its ugly head again. This time the mischief makers alleged that military gunboats and fighter aircrafts were laying siege to Gbaramatu kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area in preparation for an attack. This was equally confirmed to be fake.

“Again, it was alleged that the Tanker Drivers’ Union, Bayelsa State Chapter planned to block the East West road for unknown reasons on 22nd January 2019 which was also confirmed to be fake news.

“All these are designed to create panic and an atmosphere of insecurity to lives and properties within the Niger Delta region. We in Operation Delta Safe do not have issues with the environment where we operate.

“We have maintained peace, law and order as far as our mandate is concerned. All the critical Oil and gas infrastructures are secured and production is ongoing. Slanderous utterances and libelous publications would NOT profit the society.

“Peace and progress thrives only in conducive atmospheres and climes devoid of falsehood. We strongly call on these mischief makers, rumour mills and desperadoes to desist from their nefarious activities”.