By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo
The Nigerian Army has said that it has increase its fight against oil bunkering by taking the fight to the creeks to forestall illegal bunkering activities, stressing that the essence was to ensure criminals stop sabotaging the economy.
It has also tasked residents of Akwa Ibom on timely passage of information on security threats in their areas for prompt action and prevention.
Commander, 2 Brigade, Nigeria Army, Brigadier General Alexander Tawasimi made the call on Thursday while playing host to the Executive members of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Akwa Ibom State Council in a courtesy visit.
He however said that bunkering activities in the state have remained low as major oil drilling operations in the state remained offshore.
The Commander said the Chief of Army Staff had directed the army across the country to ensure that oil production activities were not disrupted by criminals.
“If you look at bunkering activities it’s virtually nil because most of the oil facility infrastructures are on the sea.” he stated.
Tawasimi, who is also the Commander, Sector 4, Joint Task Force, South South Operation Delta Safe, spoke following issues of kidnapping in some local government areas of Akwa Ibom, including oil producing communities and the waterways.
The Commander explained that kidnappers and bandits would not dare to operate in area the army occupies, urging the people to always give credible information to the army.
He also urged Akwa Ibom people to be vigilant and cautious of strange faces in their environment and report to authorities any case of suspicious movement. .
“Akwa Ibom is very peaceful and safe, but the challenge we are grappling with at the moment is criminality, kidnapping. We are not spirits, we cannot be everywhere or know everything, anywhere we are or base and kidnappers know that we are there, they will never operate there.
“What we are asking for is passage of information from the public. If you are in a place and see strange faces report to authorities. When you see something, you say something. It’s only when you report that we can act swiftly. What we are doing right now is to dominate the waterways, largely security is everybody’s business. It’s our responsibility as citizens to speak out.” He said.
Tawasimi also disclosed that human rights desks have been established in the state, saying that Akwa Ibom residents are free to register any complaint on human rights infringements, even as he noted that he had cautioned the officers and men against human rights violation upon assumption of duty.
“We have human rights desk to address any issue of violation. When I took over, I had to go round virtually all the cantonments in the state to educate our men on how to relate with the people and avoid human rights violation.
“Nobody should be afraid to approach us and make their complain. We don’t shy away from disciplining our officers and men, who contravene rules and regulations.” He explained.
