The Nigerian Army has vowed to sustain the ongoing fight against oil thieves to restore the two million Barrel Per Day (BPD) production output.
The Commander, 2 Brigade of Nigerian Army in Mbierebe, Akwa Ibom State, Brig.-Gen. Alexander Tawasimi, gave the assurance in an interview with Journalists at his base, where he disclosed that the menace constituted serious economic sabotage.
“Oil production is the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy. So, it is very important that we do our part to ensure that the uptake in the oil activities continues to increase, so that there will be more revenue available to governments to be able to carry out their work.
“And we have the responsibility from the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Army Staff to ensure that we do more as a team to ensure that such infractions are reduced to the barest minimum, and that we must ensure that oil activities are going on unhindered,” he said.
He stated that Akwa Ibom State currently contributes 1.2 million bpd at present, explaining that the fight against illegal oil bunkering in the state targeted the creeks and Waterways as most of oil installations and infrastructure were located offshore.
“So, what we’re doing on the onshore now is to ensure that we provide an enabling environment for those who are going offshore to be able to carry out their activities very well. And that’s the result we’re seeing, and we’re going to redouble our efforts so the criminals don’t have more sway.
“And also, those minimal oil theft happenings within the land area or waters, we are making efforts to check them from here, to ensure that those activities are prevented from happening.
“What we’re grappling with mostly in Akwa Ibom State has to do with crimes like kidnapping and communal clashes from around the borders with other states.
“These are the security challenges, but for the oil production, we’re going to do our best to ensure that, we, at least attain the two million bpd production,” he stressed.
He, therefore, solicited for the cooperation of members of the civil society to work in synergy with security agencies through intelligence sharing in the fight against criminal elements on the waters and on land, to safeguard lives and properties including vital national assets.
According to him, the Nigerian military has strengthened the mechanism for effective and robust civil – military relationship to be a mutually – beneficial one for peace, unity and development of the country, stressing that “no one should be afraid to approach us if there’s any infractions.”
On security challenges confronting the country, the Commander explained that the fight against insurgency persists because it not a conventional warfare.
Brig.-Gen. Tawasimi warned military personnel passing intelligence to the enemies, that extreme death penalty awaits such unpatriotic elements when caught.
He said the Army would continue to educate and enlighten its personnel on the imperative of professionalism and commitment to national service without compromise.
