Nigeria’s Defence Minister vows to end oil theft in Niger Delta

Mkpoikana Udoma

Port Harcourt — Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Dr. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, on Friday vowed to end the menace of illegal oil bunkering, oil theft, and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta in no distant time.

Abubakar made the vow on Friday when he visited troops of the Nigerian Army 6 Division Port Harcourt, posted to the creeks in the Niger Delta to battle illegal oil bunkering and other forms of vandalism.

Speaking at one of the creeks where he visited the troops in Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, he hailed the soldiers for their gallantry in the operations within the region, despite the difficult terrain.

The Minister explained that his visit to the creek was imperative to familiarise himself with the troops, as well as evaluate their challenges.

He said, “I have visited here for the first time to see the nature of 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 these illegal refineries and dismantle them.

“From what I learned, this is number 67th in this battalion 103 and the other formations are their best also, so it is a continuous process and they have assured me that they will end these 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.”

The Minister also urged residents of the state to collaborate with the military in dislodging the menace of oil theft and illegal oil bunkering, noting that efforts of the troops would go a long way in boosting the country’s crude oil daily production.

“They (members of the community) should 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.

“We must 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.”