Defence Minister vows to eradicate oil theft in Niger Delta

Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has vowed to eradicate oil bunkering in the Niger Delta region, calling it a menace that must be stopped.

The pledge is part of the government’s broader efforts to tackle insecurity and economic challenges in the region.

The Minister, during a working visit to Rivers State, visited an illegal crude oil refining site situated in a Creek at Asari-Toru Council of the State.

He said he saw firsthand the challenges the military faces in dismantling these operations, saying his pledge came amidst intensified efforts by the Nigerian Army to combat oil theft and illegal refining operations in the Niger Delta.

Abubakar, while commending the military personnel for their efforts said: “I have visited here for the first time to see the nature of the illegal refineries and what constitute the challenges in trying to dismantle them across the Niger Delta, and I have seen how our gallant officers are working very hard despite the tough terrain to get to those illegal refineries and dismantle them.”

The Defence Minister revealed that the site he visited was the 67th to be dismantled by Battalion 103, with other formations also making significant progress.

He said: “From what I learnt, this is number 67th in this battalion 103 and the other formations are doing their best also, so it is a continuous process and they have assured me that they will end this illegal refineries operation in no distant future.

“I have seen the challenge and what they are facing and I thank them most sincerely for the job.”

Abubakar emphasized the importance of community cooperation in ending oil bunkering, urging Niger Delta communities to collaborate with the army in intelligence gathering.

“They are to continue to give us Intelligence that will help us stop this, it is very very important for us to come back to producing 2.3 million to 2.5 million barrels a day, for the economic development and prosperity of this nation, it is important that we go back to the normal production and that will help in a big way to improve the prosperity of this nation and the lives of our people.”