Nigeria’s Defense Minister Commends Army 6 Division For Fight Against Oil Theft, Criminalities
…Says Operation Delta Safe action is yielding result as there is increase in oil production
By Lynn Adda
The Minister of Defence, Hon Mohammed Badaru Abubakar has commended the operations of the Headquarters, 6 Division/ Land Component Joint Task task Force South South Operation Delta Safe for their continued fight against oil theft and other forms of criminalities in the region.
In a Press Release made available to Journalists, the Personal Assistant to the Minister on Media and Publicity, Mallam Mati Ali quoted the Minister as saying the operations of the troops have led to the increase in oil production, which is a testament to the sustained fight by the special task force.
The Minister gave the commendation during his maiden visit to the Headquarters of Nigerian Army 6 Division in Port Harcourt.
He highlighted the efforts of the Operation Delta Safe, the Chief of Defence Staff and the unwavering support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the fight against oil theft which has been a source of concern to the nation.
Alhaji Badaru re-emphasized the need for joint efforts in fighting this menace, saying the hope of Nigerians is for the oil to drive the nation to prosperity .
“What we are doing today is to commend the troops and encourage them to do more and put an end to oil theft in the region,” he said.
The Minister reaffirmed his confidence that with the detailed plan agreed by the Chief of Defence Staff, saying there is hope of defeating the crime of oil theft in the region.
“Certainly, we are seeing progress. Oil production has increased and it will continue to increase and I assure you that before the end of this year you will see tremendous increase in oil production,” he said.
The Minister therefore urged the Operation Delta Safe to intensify and enhance extant measures in the Niger Delta region to ensure increased oil production .
Earlier, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Major-General JH Abdussalam while briefing the Minister on the activities of the 6 Division/ Land Component Joint Task Force South South Operation Delta Safe, said they have strengthened the fighting capability of the troops and have put up robust joint measures to thwart the activities of oil thieves as well as denying freedom of action of some criminal groups like IPOB/ESE.
He restated the Task Force’s commitment to sustain the anti- oil theft operations until the Federal Government’s target of 2 million barrels per day is achieved by December 2024.
