The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has declared that the Nigerian military is winning the war against crude oil theft and economic saboteurs in the Niger Delta region.
The COAS stated this at the 29th Battalion parade ground of the Army 6 Division headquarters in Port Harcourt during the 2024 Christmas Luncheon with the frontline troops in the Niger Delta on Christmas Day.
Lt. Gen. Oluyede, who was represented at the event by the Commander, Training and Doctrine Command, Nigerian Army, Major General Kevin Aligbe, said the increase in oil production in the country was a clear testament that the military was making significant efforts and is winning the war against pipeline vandalism and economic saboteurs.
He explained that the Christmas Luncheon was organised to appreciate the commitment and sacrifices of the frontline troops of the 6 Division in combating oil theft in the region, saying that their resilience has contributed immensely to a significant increase in the nation’s revenue generation.
He said, “The work we have done underscores the importance the government attaches to ensuring that income for the government continues to flow.”
“In a couple of months back, we were probably producing less than 1.4m barrels per day (bpd), but now we are a little above 1.8m bpd, which is a significant increase and bears testament to the efforts the troops are making.”
“The army will remain committed and focused on winning all land battles in defence of Nigeria’s territorial integrity, protecting our national interest, and accomplishing other tasks.”
“Since they have raised the bar to that level, they will take it to the next level, and we are winning the war on that.”
He commended the troops and other military personnel for their achievements, urging them to remain apolitical and focused, disciplined, patriotic, and loyal to constituted authorities, and to ensure full commitment to achieving their constitutional responsibilities in the discharge of their duties.
Speaking further, Lieutenant General Oluyede said his administration would, in 2025, give prior attention to the welfare of officers and soldiers, including the families of departed and injured soldiers.
He said, “I urge you to maintain the spirit of patriotism and continue to give your best in discharging your assigned duties and responsibilities. It behoves every Nigerian Army personnel to remain apolitical and subordinated to civil authority.”
“As we celebrate this year’s Christmas, let us use the opportunity to remember and pray for the repose of the souls of our departed gallant colleagues who paid the supreme price in the course of defending their Fatherland, including the immediate past Chief of Army Staff, the late Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja CFR. Our hearts and thoughts are always with their families.”
“As we step into the New Year, let me reiterate that the welfare of officers, soldiers, and their families, including those of our departed and injured colleagues, will remain my top priority. Be assured that all issues to foster professionalism and combat-readiness of the Nigerian Army will be upscaled under my leadership,” he said.
The Chief of Army Staff, however, used the medium to solicit improved cooperation and collaboration with community leaders and stakeholders in the Niger Delta region to continue winning the fight against illegal bunkering activities and crude oil theft in the region.
“To achieve exactly what we want, we need the cooperation of the people of the Niger Delta across the various creeks where we have the pipelines,” he said.
The Army Chief thanked President Bola Tinubu for his support and strategic guidance to the army and other security agencies in the country.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Maj.-Gen. Jamal Abdulssalam, commended the troops for their sacrifices over the last year, which he acknowledged had been very challenging for the Division, following the activities of oil thieves, pipeline vandals, and other criminals attempting to thwart the achievements recorded by the division.
He said the division had carried out a number of non-kinetic programmes, which had galvanised public support for military operations against criminal elements in the region, adding that the division would roll out more programmes, particularly in the areas of health and education.
Maj. Gen. Abdulssalam said that the Chief of Army Staff’s special intervention projects undertaken across the division had further placed the Nigerian Army in a positive light.
He expressed the division’s gratitude for the COAS’s visionary leadership, adding that his interventions contributed to the achievements of the division in the last year.
“I am happy to say that your hard work and resilience have resulted in significant achievements so far. I commend you for your sterling performances in various ongoing operations to maintain security, peace, socio-economic, and political stability in the South-South geopolitical zone and the entire country.”
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Also speaking, the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Tammy Danagogo, commended the army for maintaining professionalism in the discharge of their duties and hailed their contributions to the peace and security in the state and country, as well as their commitment to securing critical national assets in the state.
He also commended the GOC and the military for sustaining a robust relationship with the state government.
He said, “The security agencies, the military in particular, and indeed the Nigerian Army specifically, are doing wonderful jobs in Rivers State.”
“We must underscore the fact that your presence here, your hard work, and discipline are what are enabling us in this state to have the peace and security we are currently experiencing.”
