News: JTF battles to rescue crude oil-laden barge in Bayelsa

Yenagoa — The Joint Task Force, JTF, in the Niger Delta, yesterday, said efforts were on to rescue a crude oil-laden barge that ran aground in St. Nicholas River in Bayelsa State.

Residents of Odioama Community in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, had reported that the barge sank in the river on Friday, adding that the crew was evacuated by security operatives.

Lt. Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, Media Coordinator at JTF’s headquarters in Yenagoa, said that the maritime component of JTF was assisting in the rescue operation.

Nwachukwu said that the area had been secured to ensure that oil thieves did not tamper with the cargo, while rescue efforts were going on.