GOC Identifies Constraints In War Against Bunkering

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Army Division Enugu, Maj.-Gen. Adebayo Olaniyi, said the shortage of gunboats and fast-assault craft were partly responsible for increased oil theft in the Niger Delta Region.

The GOC made the disclosure to newsmen in Port Harcourt after an operational tour of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Sector-Two operation formations in Rivers.

Olaniyi said that the tour had enabled him to better access troop’s readiness to combat oil theft and meet with stakeholders to discuss ways of improving JTF’s operations.

He said that shortage of gunboats and fast assault crafts had weighed down their renewed strategy to effectively patrol creeks round the clock.

According to him, “If these facilities were sufficiently provided by the government; the efficiency and proficiency of our troops in policing the creeks will witness significant improvement. “Communities can also assist the JTF by providing us timely information that will lead to the arrest of oil thieves so as to discourage youth involvement in illegal oil bunkering activities.’’

Olaniyi said that the fight against oil theft was the responsibility of Nigerians, irrespective of their class, to ensure economic growth and prosperity of the country and warned that any soldier or officer found to be involved in complicity would be severely dealt with in accordance with the Army Code of Conduct.

The GOC held meetings with the officials of Pipeline and Product Marketing Company (PPMC), the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) , amongst others.

Three persons suspected to be kingpins behind re-occurring rupturing of pipelines were arrested and paraded before reporters.

Olaniyi said the suspects were trailed and arrested by troops from the 2 Brigade Sector-Two of the JTF Operation Pulo Shield command.

According to him, the suspects have made confessional statements of regular puncture of pipelines and investigation is still ongoing to unravel their sponsors and partners.

Olaniyi said that repair works had commenced on the damaged pipeline facilities to ensure increase in crude oil production.

“Production level of oil producing companies will soon increase due to JTF renewed strategy and commitment towards the elimination of oil theft and illegal oil bunkering activities in the Niger Delta Region,’’ he said.