Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigerian Defence Headquarters has explained how it has been able to protect oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta region from vandalism, as well as reduce third party infractions of such facilities.
The Nigerian Defence Headquarters disclosed that the feat has been achieved through series of deployment, escorts and partnership with oil industry players.
Speaking, the Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Benard Onyeuko, listed some of activities of the military to include protection of oil and gas facilities, anti-crude oil theft operations and clearance of militants and pirates’ camps as well as non-kinetic conflicts resolution.
Onyeuko spoke recently while giving updates on the activities of Operation Delta Safe in 2021.
According to him, OPDS conducted several operations to ensure safe and peaceful operation of the oil and gas Industry as well as security of people in the Niger Delta.
“OPDS conducted static deployments, escort duties and patrols around major oil and gas facilities within the joint operations area. These deployments and patrols have drastically reduced third party infractions on such facilities.
“As part of efforts to sustain the drive towards protecting oil facilities, the JTF OPDS partners with key oil industry players to save the crude oil pipelines from activities of criminals. The partnership has so far yielded successes in the areas of curbing pipeline vandalism.
“It is, therefore, desirable that operational capability of the Force be continuously enhanced so as to sustain a stable security environment in the Niger Delta in general and the oil and gas infrastructure in particular,” the Defence Headquarters said.
