Omiete Joseph
The Minister of Defence, Dr Mohammed Abubakar on Friday, visited troops of the Nigerian Army, 6 Division, posted in the creeks to battle illegal oil bunkering and other forms of vandalism in the Niger Delta.
Abubakar who hailed the soldiers for their gallantry in tackling oil theft in the region’s tough terrain, said the aim of the visit was to familiarize with the troops and also boost their morales to sustain the ongoing war against the illegal oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism in the area.
The Defence Minister made the disclosure in Asari-Toru Local Government Area during a working visit to illegal bunkering sites in the state.
He however vowed to end the menace of illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta area in no distant time.
“I have visited here for the first time to see the nature of the illegal refineries and what constitute the challenges in trying to dismantle them across the Niger Delta, and I have seen how our gallant officers are working very hard despite the tough terrain to get to those illegal refineries and dismantle them.
“From what I learnt, this is number 67th in this battalion 103 and the other formations are their best also, so it is a.continous process and they have assured me that they will end this illegal refineries operation in no distant future.
“I have seen the challenge and what they are facing and I thank them most sincerely for the job.”
Abubakar however urged community residents in the state to collaborate with the troops in dislodging the menace of illegal oil bunkering,
He added that the efforts of the army would help to boost the country’s crude oil production per day and also improve the prosperity of the nation.
“They (members of the community) are to continue to give us Intelligence that will help us stop this, it is very very important for us to come back to producing 2.3 million to 2.5 million barrels a day, for the economic development and prosperity of this nation.
“It is important that we go back to the days of normal production and that will help in a big way to improve the prosperity of this nation and the lives of our people.”