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By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Masked Niger Delter Militant used to ilustrate the story |
The Nigerian military has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the country’s critical national assets, warning that it will not tolerate the destruction of these facilities by individuals or groups.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, made this declaration during a press briefing on Thursday in Abuja, where he provided updates on the military’s operations nationwide. His statement comes in response to recent explosions targeting crude oil pipelines in Rivers State.
Maj.-Gen. Kangye emphasized that the military remains dedicated to protecting Nigeria’s oil installations in the Niger Delta, with field commanders actively working to fulfill this mandate.
“The field commanders are aware of all that is happening in the field. So, whatever has happened, they will interrogate it and come up with their findings. It would be prejudicial for me to tell you this is the outcome of their findings while they have not finalized their reports,” he said.
He added, “I want to tell you that there is no doubt the military will not fold their hands and allow some of our critical infrastructures to be destroyed by criminals. That is why they are there, to protect those critical infrastructures.”
Maj.-Gen. Kangye also highlighted the recent successes of Operation Delta Safe, revealing that troops had thwarted oil theft worth approximately N461.7 million in the South-South region over the past week.
During this period, the military recovered 247,629 litres of stolen crude oil and 198,374 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). Additionally, troops destroyed 36 crude oil cooking ovens, 42 dugout pits, 28 boats, 33 storage tanks, 65 drums, and 21 illegal refining sites.
Other items seized included pumping machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones, and vehicles. Troops also arrested 17 oil thieves and other criminals, recovering assorted arms, ammunition, and an extra magazine.
(NAN)