Oil Theft: CDS Inaugurates Joint Monitoring Team

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has reassured that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) will be able to serve Nigeria and work to boost oil production to the targeted 2.2m BPD.

He gave the assurance at the inauguration ceremony of the Defence Headquarters Monitoring Team for ongoing military operations in the South-South region, held at Headquarters, 6 Division, Port Harcourt Barracks, Rivers State.

The CDS, in a statement by the Acting Director of Defence Information Brig-Gen Tukur Gusau, said the monitoring teams’ role is essentially to optimize military and security agencies’ operations within the oil-producing region.

He emphasised that the objective is to assess the performance of the military and report to commanders for enhancement.

He highlighted the collaboration between the AFN and other security agencies, which he said greatly enhanced daily oil production in the region.

General Musa maintained that the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) aimed to foster a collective effort without assigning blame to ensure everyone fulfils their constitutional responsibilities.

He urged the team to coordinate with the Joint Task Force (JTF), South-South Operation DELTA SAFE, other security agencies, and stakeholders in the oil sector to ensure seamless operations.

He said the team was aware of the mandate issued by the President and Commander-in-Chief, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to increase oil production to 2.2 million barrels per day.

The Defence Chief reminded officers that securing critical national infrastructure and oil-producing areas and collaborating with oil companies to maximise production up to 2.2 million barrels per day by December are vital to their mandate.

General Musa expressed confidence in the team’s ability, highlighting their commitment and loyalty to constitutional authority. He assured the nation relied on the military’s dedication and emphasised their responsibility to uphold it.

He commended the officers and troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF) South South Operations Delta Safe for their dedication to ensuring the security of lives and property in the Niger Delta and across Nigeria.

The Chairman of the Defence Monitoring Team, Major General Jamiu Jimoh, expressed gratitude to the CDS for entrusting the team with this crucial task.

He acknowledged the substantial support and cooperation from troops and other regional security agencies.

He pledged that the team would work relentlessly to achieve the target of producing 2.2 million oil barrels per day as directed by the President.

The CDS also visited the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, where he reassured him of continuous support. He reiterated the military’s commitment to professionalism in fulfilling their constitutional duties.

He also used the medium to express his appreciation to Governor Fubara for the peace in the state, adding that the inauguration of the DHQ monitoring team will make a paradigm shift in ongoing efforts to curb the menace of oil theft.

Governor Fubara reiterated that the Rivers State Government has done a lot to curb pipeline vandalism and would support the federal government in ensuring that oil production increases.

He hinted at the emerging trend of sea piracy around the Bonny axis, reassuring that efforts are underway to procure maritime platforms to support security agencies to deal with the challenge.