Okpalaume Mary
The Nigerian Army has assured that with increase patrol in water ways, intelligent sharing and deployment of more security personnel, bombing and vandalisation of oil pipeline and oil theft would be a thing of the past in the Niger Delta area.
The Commanding Officer of the 19 battalion in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, Lt. Col. G. A. Suru while reacting to the recent bombing and vandalisation of Chevron valve platform in Abiteye in Warri North Local Government Area of the state revealed that ‘’the vandals are not happy that the military has blocked all channels of their illicit acts usually perpetrated in the water ways in the locality’’ adding that ‘’those claiming that the military lacks power to protect multinational oil wells are only trying to be relevant.’’
Lt. Col. Suru who gave insight to the gallant activities of security operatives in the area which he said has been very successful disclosed that ‘’there are so many pipelines in the locality so much so that you may not have enough manpower to secure them’’ describing the situation as very unfortunate especially in this days of modern technology.
While assuring that the military will definitely track down the culprits of the Abiteye’s bombing incident, the Commanding Officer told newsmen that his command has arrested over 20 illegal oil bunkers and sea pirates with their boats and trucks either ceased or destroyed adding that all hands are on deck to restore total peace and tranquility to the area.
He called for synergy between oil companies, community leaders and security operatives aimed to stamp out oil theft, pipeline vandalisation, illegal bunkering and destruction of other oil installations in the area.
The Chevron valve platform in Abiteye was allegedly destroyed by Niger Delta militan
