Troops deployments, New Formations in Niger delta has reduced oil Theft, Militancy & Communal clashes – Buratai.
Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai has said that the new creation of Army Formations and deployment of troops in Niger Delta has caused a massive reduction in oil theft, militancy and proliferation of communal clashes in the Niger Delta region.
Speaking in Uyo during a tour of military formations which had taken him to Cross Rivers State and will still take him to Bayelsa State, Buratai said with the establishment of the new army formations in the region, illegal activities were being checkmated.
He told reporters, “Strictly speaking, there is no rise (in illegal bunkering and oil theft) because of the efforts of all the stakeholders, the military and other security agencies, working hard to make sure that the sabotage is checked.
“That is why you see so many arrests, so many moves to stop the illegal bunkering. It is a new drive, new effort put by all the security agencies.
“You know that we have a new 6 Division (of the Nigerian Army) that has been established. By that establishment, we have more areas which hitherto have not been touched.
“We have an experienced General Officer Commanding GOC of the division, who has gone virtually to those areas that hitherto have been isolated.
The COAS insisted that there is heightened activity to stop oil theft and other criminality in the region.
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At the headquarters of the 2 brigade and 6 Battalion at Wellington Barracks, Ibagwa in Abak Local Government Area of the state, he called on officers and men to be loyal, patriotic and diligent in their duties.
He said there will be lots of activities and interventions in the state to ensure sanity and rule of law with the establishment of the brigade.
During his visit to formations in Cross River state, Buratai inaugurated some projects and is also expected to do same when he visits formations in Bayelsa including the newly established 16 Brigade in Yenogoa.
Commenting on questions regarding operations in the North East, Buratai said the cases of ambush attacks against troops in the North-East were isolated incidents that were expected in a war situation.
“We have been in war, so you cannot avoid such incidents. Mind you, these guys; terrorists are on the run but we will continue to pursue them.
“They have been boxed sort of, because most of their supplies have been blocked. So, they are trying as much as possible to find weak links to be able to get some supplies in terms of ammunition and weapons and then food stuff.
“The situation is not out of control, we may continue to have these isolated attacks but by and large, we are pursuing them and the final phase of this operation is not far”, he said.
Earlier during a courtesy visit to Gov. Udom Emmanuel, he said the 2 Brigade was relocated from Port Harcourt to Akwa Ibom for strategic reason.
“The decision to relocate 2 Brigade from Port Harcourt to Uyo is a strategic reason. The strategic location of Akwa Ibom to the overall security architecture of the country is quite fundamental” he said.
He commended the governor for his support to enable the brigade take-off properly.
END.
