News
Buhari Vows To Deal With Pipeline Vandals, Oil Thieves
President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, promised that his administration will deal decisively with the seeming resurgence of oil theft, pipeline vandalism and insecurity in the Niger Delta.
Niger Delta militants had last Thursday attacked the Escravos-Warri-Abuja-Lagos pipelines.
The militants also blew up the Chevron Nigeria Limited’s Utunan-Makaraba crude oil pipeline on Friday and proceeded to bomb the Olero gas pipeline on Saturday.
The attacks were suspected to be aimed at crippling the nation’s crude oil production.
But the President said while the Nigerian Armed Forces had already dealt “deadly blows” on Boko Haram, the activities of oil thieves and vandals will also be brought to an end soon.
According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, the President spoke during an interactive session he had with members of the Nigerian Community in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
“The oil thieves and abductors are a less problematic target. We will re-organise and deal with them,” Buhari was quoted as telling the Nigerians.
The President was also said to have urged telecommunication companies operating in Nigeria not to place their desire for huge profits above the security needs of the country.
He said the war against terrorism can only be won with the collective effort and a commitment by all stakeholders to work in unison to halt the scourge.
In apparent reference to the recent fine imposed on MTN Nigeria by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the President said the registration of all mobile phone users without exception will help the security agencies to pre-empt terrorist attacks.
He said telecommunication companies operating in Nigeria must adhere to the rules and guidelines of the NCC.
Buhari also assured Nigerians at the interactive session that his administration’s war against corruption would continue to be vigorously pursued.
He pledged that more persons who had abused the public trust will be exposed and brought to justice soon.
The President added that his government was committed to re-establishing former standards of accountability and probity in the management of public funds which were jettisoned under past administrations.
He, therefore, appealed for more patience and understanding from Nigerians as his administration takes steps to safeguard the economy from the shock of falling oil prices.
“In the face of our new economic reality of dwindling oil prices, there are a number of things we can really do without in order to preserve our economy.
“We must develop the capacity to feed ourselves and we should be spending our resources on real development projects, not luxuries,” he said.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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