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  • Tension in Gbaramatu as military deploy aircrafts, gunboats

    Tension in Gbaramatu as military deploy aircrafts, gunboats

    The mood was apprehensive around Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West council area of Delta state on Monday as residents and leaders sighted military aircrafts and gunboats around their communities.

    The Nation gathered that military aircrafts were seen hovering around the palace of the Gbaramatu paramount ruler in Oporoza, just as many gunboats were seen in different communities across the kingdom on Tuesday.

    Meanwhile, military sources on monday evening told The Nation that there was no cause for alarm as the hardware seen were only meant for routine patrol of the Escravos and Trans-Forcados Pipeline and not any special operation targeting specific communities.

    Speaking on the development, the spokesman of the Gbaramatu Council of Chiefs, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, expressed worry of what he described as fresh deployment of military equipment and personnel to Gbaramatu, a situation which he feared might negatively affect efforts currently being made to persuade the dreaded Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) to let down its guards.

    “Some few hours ago, military aircraft was roving round our palace and there were troops with gun boats all over Gbaramatu Kingdom.

    “While we are appealing to the Niger Delta Avengers to sheathe their sword, we don’t know the rationale behind, and why the deployment of troops and gun boats.

    “Gbaramatu people are not at war with the Nigeria government, why is it that anytime there is crisis anywhere; something happens in Bayelsa, or Rivers state,the first place of call is Gbaramatu?

    “We don’t want what happened in 2009 and 2016 to happen again. So let the military restrain itself and we are still appealing to the Avengers to sheathe their swords.

    Read Also: FG urges Niger Delta militants to remain calm

    “The Avengers that were operating in 2016 that would say something, the next day they take drastic action are same people still operating but somehow they are now listening to us including the traditional ruler that they should sheathe their sword and give government sometime.

    “And thank God nothing has happened since the renewed threat so why the deployment? Military presence in Gbaramatu and other part of Niger Delta region is capable of escalating the crisis.

    “Let the military back down. We are also appealing to agitators to sheathe their sword. While we still appealing to the agitators, the military should back down so that we can sustain the peace while the federal government embark on one or two projects in the region.

    However, explaining the development, the Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta, Commodore Ibrahim Dewu, said what had been misconstrued to be a military assault was a routine patrol exercise in the area, saying the hardware seen were not deployed to harass any community or any person.

    “What they are speculating as military deployment is routine patrol along Escravos and the Trans Forcados Pipeline. Once we sense any security concern on that line, our men usually move in to patrol the area. Nobody is deploying any gunboat or jets to specific communities. It is a normal patrol”, Dewu explained.

  • Navy floods N’Delta waterways with gunboats 

    Navy floods N’Delta waterways with gunboats 

    The Nigerian Navy, in a three-day operation, paraded all its gunboats, war ships and other movable arsenals on waterways located within the Areas of Responsibility (AoR) of the Central Naval Command (CNC).

    The navy in an apparent move to show its strength dominated the waterways with its presence and sent signals to oil thieves, kidnappers, pirates, pipeline vandals and other maritime criminals of its readiness to deal with them.

    In the operation codenamed, “Exercise Projector”, the navy vowed to intensify its patrols, tackle all forms of economic crimes and fight illegalities in its operational areas in the Niger Delta region.

    The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Central Naval Command (CNC), Rear Admiral Apochi Suleiman regretted that maritime crimes led to significant loss in revenue accruable to the government.

    He also said that the damage of strategic oil installations had impacted negatively on the economy and security.

    But he said the navy was capable of demystifying the creeks and dislodging miscreants from their hideouts.

    “There shall be no hideouts for these miscreants anymore in short time in our operational domains”, he said.

    He noted that the country had continued to look for permanent solutions to the challenges of illegal oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism in Niger Delta communities.

    The FOC said the concluded exercise was a strategy ordered by the Chief Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Ibok Ibas to identify the hideouts of criminals and flush them out.

    He insisted that the exercise would suppress the activities of criminals whose actions had negatively affected the economy and the environment.

    He said the zero tolerance to oil theft the Navy had maintained over time yielded positive results in the oil sector.

    According to him the navy would embarked on regular patrols of waterways in its operational areas to block the entire maritime space to reduce criminalities in the creeks.

    The FOC further said that the command acquired 15 gunboats to enforce to undertake operations in the Niger Delta communities and warned criminals and sea robbers to stay clear from its operational areas.

    He said: “We are going to enforce the patrol of Niger Delta creeks, blocking the entire maritime space to reduce criminal activities and smoke criminals out from their hideouts.

    “The Navy has decided to make the business of crude oil theft and the waterways unattractive for criminals.”

    He, however, appealed for support from community heads, operators of oil companies asking them to report suspicious characters and activities to the command.

  • NSCDC inaugurates gunboats

    NSCDC inaugurates gunboats

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), yesterday, inaugurated gunboats in Bayelsa State to tackle pipeline vandalism and other maritime crimes.

    The gunboats were sent to the state command of NSCDC by the Federal Government a few days after suspected vandals attacked pipelines belonging to the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) in Brass, Brass Local Government Area.

    The gunboats were inaugurated at the Government Jetty, Yenagoa, by Governor  Seriake Dickson, in a brief ceremony attended by Deputy Governor John Jonah; Chief of Staff, Talford Ongolo and security commanders in the state.

    Security commanders, who attended the event were the Commissioner of Police, Peter Ogunyanwo; state Commandant, NSCDC, Desmond Agu and the Commander, Joint Force (JF), Operation Pulo Shield, among others.

    Muhammadu commended Dickson for his efforts on security adding that the governor “does not joke with security”.

     

  • JTF’s new 30 gunboats boost war against oil thieves

    The days of oil thieves in the creeks of the Niger Delta region are now numbered. The Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield, is determined more than ever to flush them out.

    After taking delivery of new 30 gunboats added to its fleets by the Federal Government, JTF’s moral is high and it seems motivated to increase its patrols of oil facilities in its Areas of Responsibilities (AoR).

    It was, indeed, a day of joy for the troops and officers of the JTF whose headquarters is located in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. The Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall Alex Badeh; the Chief of Army Staff; Gen. Kenneth Minimah, Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Usman Jubril were in Yenagoa.

    They were joined by the Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Seriake Dickson; Governor, Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alameseigha.

    Others were the Commander, JTF, Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Atewe; representatives of Chevron, Shell, Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Setraco, Daewoo, royal fathers and state’s security heads including the Commander, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr. Desmond Agu.

    They were at the Government Jetty to witness the commissioning 30 gunboats acquired by the Federal Government to enhance the operations of the JTF. The gunboats were inaugurated by Badeh.

    The Chief of Defence Staff said the acquisition of the boats underlined the determination of the Federal Government to holistically find a lasting solution to the problem of crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism in Nigeria.

    He said one of the steps taken to eradicate oil theft in the country was the establishment of a Technical Committee on Crude Oil Theft Prevention and Control (TCCOTPC) by the National Economic Council (NEC).

    He said through the activities of the committee, the NEC approved some funds for the Defence Headquarters to procure gunboats for the operations of the JTF which is saddled with the responsibility of fighting crude oil thieves and pipeline vandals.

    He said the contracts for the construction of the boats were awarded to Messrs. Epenal Group of Companies Nigeria Limited and Messrs. Roshanal Info Tech Limited.

    He commended the Federal Government under President Goodluck Jonathan for its undying commitment to providing needed support to enable the Armed Forces discharge its constitutional responsibilities.

    He further said the Chairman of NEC and Vice-President Namadi Sambo deserved a special appreciation for approving the funding for the project. Badeh also appraised the ongoing war against insurgency in the North-East saying it was gaining momentum and achieving results.

    He said: “These boats and indeed other resources allocated by the Federal Government of Nigeria would be judiciously deployed for the overall economic benefits of the country.

    “It is pertinent to also note that the Nigerian Navy has continued to intensify its war against oil theft which has remarkably curtailed the high level crude oil losses.

    “I make bold to warn all those criminals who take pleasure in stealing the nation’s crude oil and vandalizing pipelines in the Niger Delta to desist from such unpatriotic acts.

    “The receipt of of these gunboats has added impetus to the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies’ campaign against oil theft and pipeline vandalism. To be forewarned is to be forearmed”.

    In fact, Uduaghan who was a special guest of honour at the occasion beamed with smiles. He had every reason to be joyful especially following his known disdain for oil theft and pipeline vandalism. Besides, he played a significant role in the acquisition of the military assets.

    Uduaghan is the chairman of the technical committee that approved the purchase of the gunboats. The governor said the decision to acquire the gunboats was taken after considering the challenges of the military in a NEC meeting adding that it was agreed in the meeting that the military should not be allowed to fight crime with bare hands.

    He said: “When there is a drop in oil revenue, it affects everyone. It affects the federal government and the states. We agreed at the NEC meeting that we must make some contributions as Federal and state government to the funding of the operation in this area because without funds we cannot be talking of security. Our military people should not use their bare hands to be dealing with security.

    “So, the council after due approval by Mr. President put up a committee with state governors and I was privileged to chair that committee. I am happy today that we are here to commission these boats which is a big plus for the operations of this area.”

    Uduaghan poured encomiums on the JTF and the Navy for making the region too hot for oil thieves. “Even before these boats, I can testify as a governor of the Niger Delta, the operations of JTF and the navy have been very uncomfortable for the criminals. We want to appreciate what you are doing in dealing with crude oil theft”, he said.

    Despite the effectiveness of the JTF and the Navy, Uduaghan said there were still challenges in crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism, which he said was affecting gas supply to power plants.

    “We still have challenges in crude oil theft and even pipeline vandalism that is affecting gas supply especially yo our power plants.

    “We are proud of Mr. President, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan who is on the driving seat, who is the commander-in-chief in dealing with all these issues, the issues of crude oil theft and the issues of Boko Haram.

    “President Jonathan has done a lot in the power sector in terms of generation a lot of power plants have been completed and are fully ready for operation.

    “In terms of distribution a lot of work has been done and are fully ready but the challenge we have now is sabotage to our gas pipeline. It is sad that our people are involved in this type of sabotage. To stop this requires the participation of all of us.”

    The governor also called for the cooperation of the international community in dealing with the issues of oil theft in Nigeria.

    “There also other stakeholders in the business of crude oil theft and the most challenging one is international community. Over 80 per cent of the stolen crude is exported and used by refineries outside Nigeria.

    “If international community cooperates with Nigeria, I am sure we will reduce this problem. If there is no destination for this stolen crude, this whole thing will reduce. Mr. President is doing his best. He is determined to wipe out crude oil theft and as states we are determined to work with him to wipe it out”, he added.

    In his remarks, the host, Governor Dickson, said apart from maritime military assets, the state was in need of equipment on land to effectively fight crimes.

    He thanked President Jonathan for investing in security and military assets saying that he had shown uncommon determination “to equip, armed, trained and kept the military better prepared than any of his predecessors”.

    “Two weeks or so ago, Mr. President in June fell swoop provided four naval warships for our nation’s navy. This is in addition to several strategic investments of the federal government under the able leadership of our dear President.

    “I would like to commend the prudence with which the resources are managed by various service chiefs.

    “The boats that had been donated will go a long way to assist our men and women in uniform whose men and officers even as we speak are sacrificing their lives to keep our nation safe”, he said.

    On his part, though excited over the gunboats, Atewe, the JTF commander, lamented the lives of gallant soldiers lost in the fight against illegal oil bunkering, pipeline vandalism and other forms of oil theft.

    He said recently five soldiers attached to the outfit were heinously killed by armed oil thieves. Atewe called for minute silence for the departed heroes and asked God to help their families bear the loss.

    Atewe thanked the dignitaries for attending the event and said the JTF had come of age. He said within the period he assumed the command of the outfit, over 157 vessels ad been seized. He said about 500 illegal oil pipeline vandals had been arrested while 300 boats involved in the illegal business had been destroyed.

    He praised Dickson, Udaghan and the Deputy Governor of the state, Rear Admiral John Jonah (retd) for their support in the war against economic sabotage. He further commended the security chiefs for their assistance especially the new 30 gunboats they made available to the command.

    Playing the Oliver Twist, Atewe asked the host governor not to relent in helping the outfit. Atewe reinstated his commitment to zero-tolerance to oil theft and regretted the environmental impact of pipeline vandalism.

  • Military‘ll deploy gunboats for elections, says Defence chief Badeh

    The Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall (ACM)Alex Badeh, yesterday said the military will deploy gunboats to provide security for the general elections.

    ACM Badeh spoke at the Government Jetty, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, while inaugurating 30 gunboats acquired by the Federal Government to enhance the operation of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield.

    He said apart from the primary reason of prosecuting the war against oil theft, the gunboats would also be deployed to secure the elections in the coastal communities.

    “Aside from curtailing oil theft, these boats will come in very handy during the forthcoming general elections.

    “Troops of the Operation Pulo Shield would use these boats to dominate the creeks as a warning to would-be troublemakers. We all want peace to prevail. So, troublemakers should be warned”, he said.

    In attendance at the inauguration were the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Kenneth Minimah, Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Usman Jubril; Governor Seriake Dickson; Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and former Bayelsa State Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.

    ACM Badeh said the acquisition of the boats underlined the determination of the Federal Government to find a lasting solution to the problem of crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism in Nigeria.

    He said one of the steps taken to eradicate oil theft in the country was the establishment of a Technical Committee on Crude Oil Theft Prevention and Control (TCCOTPC) by the National Economic Council (NEC).

    He said through the activities of the committee, the NEC approved some funds for the Defence Headquarters to procure gunboats for the operations of the JTF, which is saddled with the responsibility of fighting crude oil thieves and pipeline vandals.

    He said: “These boats and indeed other resources allocated by the Federal Government of Nigeria would be judiciously deployed for the overall economic benefits of the country.”

    Uduaghan, who was a special guest of honour  at the occasion said: We are proud of Mr. President, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan who is on the driving seat, who is the commander-in-chief in dealing with all these issues, the issues of crude oil theft and the issues of Boko Haram.

    “On Saturday March 28 is the election and we all must put our hands and everything together to ensure that Mr. President Jonathan wins that election.

    In actual fact he has already won by the grace of God.”

    Dickson said apart from maritime military assets, the state was in need of equipment on land to effectively fight crimes.

     

     

  • 2015: Concerns in Niger Delta over hijack of gunboats

    2015: Concerns in Niger Delta over hijack of gunboats

    There is anxiety within military circles in the Niger Delta over a peaceful general election in the region next year. Reason: The killing of military personnel and hijack of gunboats.

    No fewer than 11 soldiers have been killed or declared missing in President Goodluck Jonathan’s home state of Bayelsa since November. The uniforms of the soldiers were taken away. Two gunboats hijacked are yet to be found.

    The incidents have led to speculations that the arms and ammunition and uniforms that were hijacked from the military are being used by criminals to build armouries, which could be used to cause mayhem during the elections.

    A military officer told our reporter: “The development should be a source of concern to all well-meaning Nigerians, not just security operatives. Security challenges occur mostly when you have arms and ammunition in the hands of people not legally permitted to bear arms. And when there is the possibility that they could be parading with these weapons while dressed as military men makes it even more worrying.”

    The source, who asked not be mentioned because of his sensitive position, noted that security reports from Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states indicated that former militants and criminals are regrouping.

    “The situation is worrisome. In Bayelsa State, for instance, in the past two months there have been no fewer than three attacks on military convoys. The gunboats, arms and ammunition of the soldiers were carted away.

    “The most disturbing part is that over months after, none of these gunboats have been found; nobody knows where they are or who has them. This makes us to believe that the crafts were deliberately hijacked for sinister purposes,” our source added.

    However, the outgoing Media Coordinator of the Joint Task Force Headquarters in the region, Lt Col Anka Mustapha, told our reporter that there is no cause for concern.

    The military spokesperson, in a telephone chat with our reporter yesterday said: “One of our mandates is to safeguard the entire Niger Delta from all forms of criminality and sundry crimes which have to do with sea robbery, kidnapping and other crimes.”

    Lt Col Mustapha vowed that the recent incident involving the attack on a military convoy in the Brass area of Bayelsa State would not deter the task force, stressing, “That one would not deter JTF from its mandate; it is not deterring us at all and we are on top of the situation.”

    He affirmed that the task force was searching for the three missing soldiers in the ill-fated expedition, adding, “We declared the soldiers missing and efforts are on to rescue them.”

    Besides, he disclosed that some of the 30 gunboats approved for the task force to beef up security in the region area were already arriving.

    “JTF is not relenting in its effort. I mentioned that the military has authorized the release of 30 gunboats. We have started receiving some of the gunboats; they are all meant to enhance our capacity to fight these crimes and criminalities.”

    He hinted that the increased criminality in the waterways, particularly in Bayelsa state was a result of the clampdown on illegal bunkering, which have forced operators of criminal oil rings to seek alternative means of making money.

    “The bunkerers are finding it very difficult so many of them are going into sea robbery because they are not finding that one (bunkering) to be so lucrative. It is something the JTF is not relenting to tackle. We are not doing it alone; we are doing it in collaboration with other stakeholders. We are not sleeping.”

    He assured that the JTF was adequately prepared to tackle any problem that may result during the election, stressing that “we have our mandate and we are very prepared.”

    Despite his assurance, our feelers from military formation in the area revealed growing unease among the ranks and file, who are particularly worried that gunboats and military hardware in the hands of criminals with better knowledge of the terrain could spell doom.

    An officer in one of the formations said, “If you see how JTF operates, who will be able to see how terrible the terrain is. From Yenagoa to Brass for instance, you are moving from one river to the other. People can hide somewhere and see without you seeing the persons. You cannot really understand what the creek is all about somebody can jump on you without you knowing until it is too late. That is why they seem to be having the upper hand.”