Don’t Align with Economic Saboteurs, Kidnappers, COAS Warns Soldiers
•Fubara alleges soldiers aiding oil bunkering in Rivers communities
Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has warned soldiers and officers under the 6 Division Nigerian Army not to go into alliance with economic saboteurs, kidnappers and other criminal elements operating within their jurisdiction of coverage.
The COAS gave the warning yesterday, while addressing the military personnel during a visit to the 6 Division Headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, as part of his visit to formations and units under his command following his assumption of office.
This is as Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has said that his administration is doing everything possible to curb illegal bunkering activities, alleging that some officers of the Nigerian Army possibly compromised in parts of Ahoada East and Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni local government areas of the state.
The governor who disclosed this when Lagbaja visited the Government House Port Harcourt, said the suspected officers are attached to a particular company in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area.
Some of the projects inaugurated by the COAS include; 10 gunboats and three official vehicles, remodeled and renovated reception of the 6 Division, Nigeria Army, Ordnance Tailoring Factory, 46 Engineer Brigade RSM accommodation, GAR RSM accommodation, remodeled NYSC Lodge, 6 Div Engineering Regiment. He also conducted foundation laying of a 6 Division Shopping Mall, and flagged off Operation Still Water III in Ahoada.
Speaking further on the essence of maintaining security and ensuring the protection of the nation’s resources, Lagbaja, warned soldiers against involving in any form of illegal activity.
He commended the men for their efforts so far in containing the activities of oil thieves within the state and the region, and urged them to increase their efforts to curtail any form of economic sabotage within their jurisdiction.
The Army Chief said the contribution of the anti-bunkering team has recorded significant success, adding that there were already commendations and reports from the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, on improvement in crude oil output in 2023.
He said, “Thank you, troop of 6 Division for your service to the nation. Your operational activities are well noted and they have contributed positively to the nation’s economic development.
“Just, yesterday, the NNPCL reported that the crude oil production in Nigeria has reached its peak in 2023. And that is all due to your anti-bunkering and combating illegal economic activities in your AY. So, well done.
“I still want to charge you, that for the fact that you are being commended now does not mean you should go and sleep. You still have a lot to do.
“The focus of the government is economic recovery, security and infrastructural development among other aspects. A nation cannot experience any form of economic recovery without first having a grip of the oil industry and you are key to that firm grip of the oil industry.
“So, this afternoon, I want to charge you, wherever you will be deployed outside the barracks, you must not collude with oil vandals. You will not enter into alliance with economic saboteurs, kidnappers or enemies of the nation.”
Lagbaja said the attention of the government is economic recovery, infrastructural development and security, urging operatives to maintain total loyalty, discipline and commitment in the move to achieving the set targets.
He noted, “Besides that, as soldiers you are expected to be loyal and disciplined always. Don’t be distracted. You are soldiers. Your loyalty first is to the constitution, then to the government of the day. And you will remain so. You will remain loyal, dedicated and committed.”
Governor Fubara during the visit of the COAS said: “One special problem that we have here is issue of bunkering. In some parts of the state, in Ahoada East and Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni, most of the bunkering activities there, we believe, is subsisting because there is this cooperation between the Army and high top oil companies.
“I am saying this because there is this road we are constructing somewhere in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni and each time the contractor approaches this particular company and plead that they allow that they allow them go ahead with our job, the military will always come and attack our contractors.”
Also speaking, the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, explained that the “Still Water III is designed to practice commanders of combat, combat support and combat services under command in the operational act of planning, preparation and conduct of military operations, tactical amphibious operations as well as the conduct of civil military cooperation activities to win the heart and mind of the civil populace.”
He said the exercise will also focus on key aspects of cyber warfare with a view to identify, track and counter negative propaganda in social media and the cyber space.
