In furtherance of his resolve to fight illegal oil bunkering and related criminality in the Niger Delta region, the Commander of Joint Task Force Operation (JTF) PULO SHIELD, Major General Emmanuel Atewe, has solicited for the support of the Governors of Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.
The Commander, who was received in Akwa Ibom by Governor Obong Godswill Akpabio when he paid courtesy call, remarked that he was in the state to seek for synergy and cooperation between Akwa Ibom people and the Task Force in the fight against illegal oil bunkering and oil theft.
He commended the Governor for the uncommon giant strives in the massive infrastructural development.
General Atewe said “I am here to seek for your cooperation and support for the joint Task Force zero tolerance for all forms of illegalities especially in the areas of oil theft and illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta Region.
“The result of these acts of sabotage by the enemies of this country’s economy which depends mostly on oil for her survival is in jeopardy and also health hazard to the inhabitants of the area. The environmental degradation as a result of the rupturing of oil pipeline also damages the ecological environment of our country thereby exposes our people to various ailments’’.
In his response, Governor Akpabio congratulated General Atewe on his new appointment describing him as a gentleman officer and one of the best crop of officers Nigerian Army has produced in recent times.
He assured the commander of his support and cooperation in the fight against illegal oil bunkering in the region. Governor Akpabio said “We will give you all the necessary support you will need to fight against illegalities in the Region’’. He however regretted the increase of piracy activities in the region which according to him is undermining the commercial activities in the waterways.
While in Cross River State, the Commander was received by Governor Liyel Imoke who assured him of his support and assistance in the fight against illegal oil bunkering in the region. He frowned on the prosecuting process of these illegal oil bunkerers which according to him is faulty and slow. He used the forum and called for stiffer punishment that will deter others from engaging on the act of oil theft and illegal oil bunkering activities.
The Commander also paid an operational visit to Sector 3, Headquarters (13 Brigade Calabar), 207 Special Mobility Group of the Nigerian Air Force, Eastern Naval Command and Nigeria Navy Ship VICTORY.
He commended the officer and troops under command for their gallantry in the fight against illegal oil bunkering in the region. He also commended the commanders of the Sector and component for their doggedness in carrying out the Mandate of the Task Force. Receiving the commander at the Headquarters of the 207 Special Mobility Group of the Nigerian Air Force, the commander Air Commodore Charles Owho promised to provide all the aerial support to the JTF in the region and also to deploy Helicopter at short notice.
In his response General Atewe thanked the commander for his hospitality and support in the fight against oil thieves.
At the Eastern Naval Command, the Chief Staff Officer of the Command Rear Admiral Okojie who stood in for the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Rear Admiral Charles Medani pledge to support the operation of the Task Force in the fight against oil related crimes in the Region. The Commander JTF also visited the Nigerian Naval Ship NNS VICTORY where the Commanding Officer Commodore Charles Ogu briefed the JTF Commander on the operation of the Ship and its readiness to assist eradicating piracy and oil theft along the water ways of its Area of Responsibility.
The Commander also visited troops of the JTF deployed at Ikang and Creek Town of Cross River state where pirates and kidnappers lay siege to commit atrocities calling on troops under command to carry out the JTF mandate professionally. The Commander was accompanied during the visit by the Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC) of the JTF, Lieutenant Colonel Mustapha Anka, Mr Dimka of the Department of State Services component of the JTF and other officers.
In another development, the Headquarters Joint Task Force has also handed over a ship Christened MT STRIDER to the Management of Blue Green Tiger. The vessel was arrested for alleged carrying of cache of arms by troops of JTF along Bonny Anchorage, in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State on 24 March 2014.
According to Media Officer, Lt Col. Mustapha Anka, upon investigation the vessel was absolved of any illegality which made the Defence Headquarters authorize its subsequent release to the owners.
