Oil Theft, Piracy: Wike Decries NAF’s Diversion Of Two Armoured Helicopters

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, says two armoured helicopters worth over $10million that the state government gave to the Nigerian Air Force to fight crude oil theft and sea piracy in the state have been diverted to fight Boko Haram.
The governor has meanwhile warned that the state would not hesitate to withdraw the gunboats it is about to present to the Army, Navy and Police, if they are deployed for use in other states.
He stated this at the presentation of 29 operational vehicles to the police at the re-launching of the Rivers State security outfit code-named, C.4.I, at the Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday.
The governor explained that his administration has continually demonstrated its resolve to rid the state of criminality through provision of operational vehicles, gunboats and other forms of support for the security agencies.
He, however, expressed dismay that some of the equipment provided by the state government to support security agencies fight crime are often diverted to other states at the detriment of Rivers State.
“Let the Nigerian Air Force know that Rivers State Government gave them two armoured helicopters. The former Chief of Air Staff never wrote to thank us. Which state has done it for Nigerian Air Force in this country? Not one. Even while he was former Chief of Air Staff, he never came here to thank us. But he was using our own armoured helicopter.”
He further added, “Rivers State Government paid over $10million (for the armoured helicopters). We said it should be used to fight oil bunkerers here, but ask me, where are those helicopters today? The (Air Force) headquarters have taken it, saying they are fighting Boko Haram. But we bought it to fight criminals here, to fight oil bunkerers here, but they have taken it.”
Wike said with the re-launch of C.4.I security outfit, the Rivers State Police Command should become more proactive in fighting crime.
He urged the police and other security agencies to take the war against criminality to the criminals.
“We must take the war to them (criminals); let them know that enough is enough. All those people who think they can collect money from contractors, who think that they can kidnap contractors and threaten people, you must go after them. We can’t continue with this kids-glove tactics. Enough is enough. Don’t allow them to kill your men before you go after them.”
The governor disclosed that in the next few weeks, the Rivers State Government will donate more operational vehicles and equipment to the C.4.I security outfit to enhance their operations.
In addition, he said the state would also give five gunboats each to Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and the Police to tackle sea piracy.
“But let the gunboats remain within the territory of Rivers State. I am not here to buy gunboats for any other state. I am buying gunboats for the protection of the people that do business and live in Rivers State and their property. Don’t carry our gunboats, and say, the Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, IGP said, bring the gunboats to so, so place. Every state is to protect their territory. The day I hear you took our gunboats to other states, I will collect them back”, Wike warned.
The governor assured the police personnel attached to the C.4.I unit that if they loss their life in active service, the state government would take care of their families.
“Let me tell you what I will do for people of C.4.I. If any of you, in course of this work, in course of fighting crime and criminality dies, Rivers State Government will take care of your family.”