Crime
Nigeria: FG Renews War on Oil Bunkering, Commissions Eight Gunboats
Nigeria: FG Renews War on Oil Bunkering, Commissions Eight Gunboats
By: Michael Mike
The federal government has commissioned eight gunboats to fight crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism in the country to a logical end.
A press statement by the spokesman of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Olusola Odumosu on Tuesday said “in her resolve to end the menace of crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism in the nation, the Federal Government through the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has commissioned eight NSCDC gunboats to wage a full scale war against the perpetrators of this heinous crime.”
He noted that the move became necessary to strengthen the combative capacity of NSCDC Anti Vandalism Squad in stemming the tide of huge revenue loss to the Federal Government in the oil sector.
Aregbesola, while performing the official inauguration of the gunboats in Port Harcourt, described the incidences of oil theft as an organized crime ridding the nation of accrued revenue running to million of dollars annually.
The Minister of Interior, said the country in recent past had recorded various occurrences of crude oil theft and reports has shown that the country loses million of dollars daily such that, of the 141 million barrels of oil produced in the 1st quarter of year 2022, only 132 million barrels of oil were received at export terminals; the aftermath results further reveal that over 9 million barrels of oil was lost to crude oil theft.
He decried the negative impacts of crude oil theft and oil pipeline vandalism in the nation.
He however called on all security agencies to shun Inter-agency rivalries and synergize by supporting the fight against oil theft in order to salvage and rid the nation’s economy of saboteurs.
The Minister further maintained that the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps as the lead agency in Safeguarding Critical National Assets and Infrastructure is mandated to use the available logistics provided by the Government to reduce crime rate and by extension take the war against crude oil theft to the camp of the enemies.
The NSCDC Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Audi, while extolling the role of Government in the provision of necessary logistics to enhance the fight against oil pipeline vandalism across the nation, affirmed that the eight newly commissioned gunboats will boost the morale of the Corps in combating the menace of crude oil theft along the waterways.
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He said: “The NSCDC is generally expected to effectively safeguard Critical Infrastructure and oil installations which are very central and vital to the socio-economic development of the nation.
“The Corps is saddled with the mandate to guard against oil theft, illegal oil bunkering through the provision of physical security to oil pipelines against vandalism.
“Therefore, any threat to the oil and gas sector is automatically considered as a high security concern owing to the debilitating effects it has on national development.”
He added that: “It also constitute environmental degradation, pollution, destruction of land and aquatic life, loss of means of livehood and drastic reduction in the inflow of foreign exchange needed to bolster the economy of the nation.”
He affirmed that a marching order has been issued to all Zonal Commanders, State Commandants and Heads of Antivandal Unit across formations to be battle ready with a renewed vigour to stamp out oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the nation.
The CG reiterated the Corps’ determination and unwavering commitment to the war against illegal oil bunkering and assured the Government and the entire nation that the Gunboats would be distributed to states in the coastal region as the corps continue to collaborate with the military and other security agencies.
He enjoined Nigerians to assist security agencies in winning the war against the enemies of the nation by volunteering credible Intelligence and Information that could lead to possible arrest and prosecution of oil pipeline vandals and saboteurs of the nation’s economy.
Nigeria: FG Renews War on Oil Bunkering, Commissions Eight Gunboats
Troops Neutralise Five Terrorists in Ambush Operation in North-East
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation HADIN KAI, have neutralised five suspected terrorists during a successful ambush operation conducted in Borno State.
Security sources disclosed that the operation was carried out on April 29 by troops deployed at a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in the Mayanti area, as part of ongoing offensive operations under Operation Desert Sanity.
According to the sources, the troops had laid an ambush at a strategic location based on credible intelligence before coming into contact with a group of insurgents later in the evening.
“The troops engaged the terrorists effectively upon contact, resulting in the neutralisation of five of them,” the source said.
Items recovered from the scene include two bicycles, fabric materials and food supplies, believed to have been used for logistics by the fleeing insurgents.
The troops have since redeployed to another tactical position to continue offensive operations and deny the terrorists freedom of movement within the area.
Military authorities said the morale and fighting efficiency of the troops remain high, as operations continue to sustain pressure on insurgent elements across the North-East theatre.
Operation HADIN KAI has in recent months intensified clearance and ambush operations aimed at degrading terrorist capabilities and restoring normalcy to affected communities in the region.
Troops Neutralise Five Terrorists in Ambush Operation in North-East
Troops Neutralise Four Terrorists, Recover Arms in Sambisa Axis
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have neutralised four suspected terrorists and recovered arms and logistics items during an ambush operation in the Sambisa forest axis of Borno.
Security sources said the operation was conducted in the early hours of April 30 by troops of 21 Special Armoured Brigade in conjunction with local vigilante forces.
The sources disclosed that the troops mobilised to a suspected terrorist crossing point in the general area of “Charlie Five” following credible intelligence on insurgent movement.
“Contact was made with the terrorists advancing from the Yale axis towards the Sambisa Forest, and the troops immediately engaged them with superior firepower,” the source said.
During exploitation of the area, four terrorists were neutralised, while troops recovered one AK-47 rifle with 12 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
Other items recovered include two bags of ground maize and a pack of spaghetti, believed to be part of the terrorists’ food supplies.
The ambush team subsequently returned safely to base without casualties, while monitoring and clearance operations continue in the area.
Military authorities said the general security situation in the axis remains calm, with troops maintaining high morale and operational efficiency.
Operation HADIN KAI continues to sustain offensive operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks and restoring peace across the North-East region.
Troops Neutralise Four Terrorists, Recover Arms in Sambisa Axis
Troops Foil Kidnap Attempt, Rescue Four Victims in Bauchi
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 8, Sub-Sector 82, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), have foiled a kidnap attempt in Jigi village, Lere District of Bauchi Local Government Area, Bauchi State, rescuing four abducted persons.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 1:05 p.m. on April 28 when troops deployed at Bafawa Balewa responded to intelligence on a kidnapping incident in the area.
The sources disclosed that on sighting advancing troops, the kidnappers abandoned their victims and fled into nearby bushes.
According to the sources, the four rescued victims were immediately secured and later handed over to the Chairman of Miyetti Allah, Lere District, for identification and further necessary action.
They added that troops have intensified patrols in the area to track down the fleeing suspects and prevent further criminal activity along the axis
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