The joint military task force deployed to protect oil installations in the Nigeri Delta, known as Operation Pulo Shield, has arrested five suspected political thugs in Bayelsa State on the eve of the governorship election holding on Saturday.

Arms and ammunition were also reportedly recovered from the thugs.

Commander of the military task force, Alani Okunlola, a Major General, told journalists on Friday in the Bayelsa State capital that the thugs were arrested on December 3 at Okaka area of Yenagoa following a tip off.

“On December 3, troops while on patrol arrested five suspected political thugs in their hide out at Okaka, Yenagoa. They were arrested while in possession of one 36 Hand Grenade, two empty AK 47 Riffle Magazines, a pair of Military Uniforms, Combat boot and  a bag containing personal belongings,” Okunlola said.

Okunlola said that the outfit had increased its patrols on land and water, adding that his men had also been providing security  for distribution of election materials to coastal communities in readiness for Saturday’s governorship elections.

Speaking further on the military outfit’s recent operations, the Commander said that its men seized a tug-boat, MV EBIMORE,  involved in illegal oil bunkering and arrested the seven crew men on board along Ogbe Ijoh in Warri South local government  of Delta.

The boat, he said, was laden with 50 metric tons of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil and that both the boat and its crew members had been handed over to the Navy for investigations.

In another operation, similar troops on patrol along Bonny waterways on December 1, intercepted two metal barges, seven wooden barges and a tug-boat used for illegal oil bunkering and arrested six suspected oil thieves.