Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has pledged full support to the Joint Task Force (JTF), South-South, Operation Delta Safe, in its renewed crackdown on crude oil theft and related crimes, as part of efforts to safeguard oil infrastructure and boost national production.
Governor Otti gave the assurance on Tuesday, when he received a delegation of the Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe, led by the new Commander, Rear Admiral Olugbenga Oladipo, at his office in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South LGA.
The Governor while welcoming the delegation,
reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to inter-agency security collaboration and emphasised the need to guarantee safety for residents and investors.
“We have no doubt that we will work together to rid this place of crime and criminality. I want to assure you that we will take up the offer of support from you.
“We need to guarantee that to our people can come home, do their business, sleep with their two eyes closed, irrespective of what it takes”, the Governor said.
He commended the JTF Commander for the noticeable impact of his operations since his assumption of office in November last year.
Governor Otti noted that he had carefully observed the Commander’s operational briefings and videos explaining the dynamics of oil theft, stressing that understanding criminal patterns is critical to dismantling them.
“Once you understand how they (criminals) operate, stopping them in their tracks becomes easier than when you don’t even understand”, Governor Otti added.
The Governor recalled that at the inception of his administration, some Local Government Areas were inaccessible due to banditry, but commended the sustained efforts of the Security Agencies in Abia for restoring law and order across the areas.
He revealed that Abia holds monthly Security Council meetings and has strengthened its security architecture through the State’s Homeland Security outfit.
Governor Otti who urged the newly appointed South-South Commander of the Joint Task Force to establish a dedicated operational base in Ukwa West LGA the State’s oil producing hub, offered to provide them accommodation and other necessary logistics.
“So what we’ll probably be asking for is for you to have a base here while you have your headquarters in Yenagoa.
“I will provide accommodation and everything that will be required for you to establish a base here particularly in Ukwa West where we have oil in the State”, he stated.
Earlier, the JTF South South Commander, Rear Admiral Olugbenga Oladipo, said his visit was to formally introduce himself as the new Commander of Operation Delta Safe and to deepen collaboration with Abia State.
Rear Admiral Oladipo explained that the Joint Task Force covers the Niger Delta States and parts of the South-East where oil production and related infrastructure exist.
The JTF Commander added that their mandate is to protect oil and gas facilities, curb crude oil theft and bunkering, protect lives and property, and support increased oil production as directed by President Bola Tinubu.
He disclosed that while pipeline vandalism had significantly reduced due to pipeline protection contracts, criminal elements had shifted focus to wellheads.
Rear Admiral Oladipo described oil theft as a dynamic crime, noting that perpetrators have adopted new tactics, including use of drone jammers as well as mixing chemicals with crude oil to produce adulterated petroleum products such as diesel and benzene.
He assured Governor Otti that the Joint Task Force maintains a 24-hour Quick Response Squad ready to be deployed to any State within its operational coverage.
“We are here to let you know that we will support you. We also have a quick response squad from my base. We are ready to deploy 24 hours to any State that requires our assistance. So we are here for you”, he assured.
In his remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Navy Captain MacDonald Ubah (Rtd), described the new Joint Task Force Commander as “a very resourceful officer” whom he personally trained during his years in active service.
He expressed confidence in the JTF Commander’s capacity to enhance operational effectiveness and assured that Abia would witness improved security with crude oil bunkering and other related criminal activities reduced to the barest minimum.
