Divine Udoma 08 May 2014, Sweetcrude, Port Harcourt – Commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, Major General Emmanuel Atewe, says the force has introduced a new strategy aimed at curbing incessant attacks on the nation’s oil installation.
Atewe disclosed this in Port Harcourt during an operational tour of JTF formations and units in Rivers State.
The commander said the new strategy was in tandem with the renewed commitment and strategy put in place by security agencies.
In his words, “nations at various points in their history faced serious security challenges, but were able to overcome it due to collective commitment and contribution of every citizen. At the moment, there is strong political and military dedication to end current insecurity situation facing the nation. I call on Nigerians, groups and corporate organisations to provide us with useful and timely information that will enable us surmont these security challenges.”
He also disclosed that the force had made enormous progress in curbing re-occuring attacks on the nation’s oil installations through arrest of oil thieves, pipeline vandals and sea pirates.
Atewe disclosed that the taskforce has also intensified operations within the past two months leading to the arrest of 14vessels carrying illegal crude and petroleum products in the Nigerian waters.
He further disclosed that the vessels and crew members were currently facing investigation and would be prosecuted if found guilty of sabotaging the nation’s economy.
The JTF boss also maintain that the nation needed special courts to fast track the prosecution of individuals and groups commiting economic crimes like oil theft.
