Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, says he will adopt a new strategy in fighting oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the state.
Recall that his predecessor, former governor Nyesom Wike, had in 2022 launched a fight against illegal oil bunkering activities in the state, following the spate of fire explosions in the state orchestrated by indiscriminate storage of illegally acquired petroleum products in residential property.
Governor Fubara asked for the support of the Nigerian Air Force in the fight against economic sabotage, criminal damage of oil pipelines and theft through illegal bunkering of petroleum products.
The governor, speaking when he received on courtesy visit the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar at Government House in Port Harcourt, noted the economic hardship facing Nigerians in their attempt to cope with the current challenges.
He said the Nigerian Air Force cannot leave the fight against economic saboteurs to the Navy, and sued for synergy among all the security agencies with the State government in identifying and arresting criminal elements on land, sea and air who sabotage the nation’s economy.
“I appeal to you to order the commander in charge of Port Harcourt Airforce base to work with us because we intend to start a new fighting arrangement against illegal bunkering activities.
“Those things we can’t see while on ground, you can access from aerial view. When we work together, I believe nothing is impossible to conquer.
“I want to tell you, the entire Air Force, that we are having a difficult time in this country, so try as much as you can to see what you can do, we are ready to work with you to reduce economic sabotage. Illegal bunkering is a big issue and it is something not to leave in the hands of the navy or the Army, but every body needs to work together,” he said.
Earlier, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Abubakar, said he was in the State to inspect facilities at 115 Special Operations Group and also interact with Airforce personnel in the state.
Abubakar commended Governor Fubara for sustaining the relationship between the State government and the Airforce, as well as prioritising issues of education and youth empowerment that will reduce security challenges.
