- Enjoins mineral exploration firms to prioritise health safety of Nigerians, host communities
- Reiterates importance of diversifying Nigeria’s economy
- Army busts oil thieves, recovers 200,000 litres stolen crude in Rivers, Bayelsa
President Bola Tinubu says his administration will ensure that companies engaged in mineral exploration prioritize the health and safety of Nigerians and the host communities.
The President stated this while receiving a presentation by Course 32 participants of the National Defence College on Thursday in Abuja.
The President also directed security agencies to intensify efforts to crack down on illegal miners across the country.
The Course 32 Participants were tasked with researching topical national issues, and their findings during their 11-month study focused on the mining industry’s potential to contribute to national security and development.
Responding to the presentation delivered by Colonel Olajide Bello on behalf of the delegation, President Tinubu commended their work and reiterated the importance of diversifying Nigeria’s economy.
“I have listened carefully to your presentation on the theme. Aside from your knowledge of war and security, I could see the intellectual depth of the work done to help the nation, and I must say thank you to all of you.
“I recognize the need for the diversification of the economy, and we have been pushing hard on this. Your involvement will equally promote a better understanding of the issues.
“We have challenges from scavengers and exploiters around the country. We must nip that in the bud, and you military officers understand this better than the civil society.
“We expect that through your command, we will have more resources that we need to make sure we have a stable economic environment,’’ the President said.
President Tinubu assured the delegation that his administration would ensure the completion of the NDC headquarters in Abuja.
Addressing the health implication of exploration activities during an interactive session, the President expressed concern over the well-being of those living near mining areas.
“We must pay attention to that at the outset by providing medical centres and other facilities that will protect the lives, property and health of Nigerians,’’ President Tinubu said.
In his remarks, the Commandant, NDC, Rear Admiral Olumuyiwa Olotu, said the institution, established in 1992 as the National War College, has graduated 2,871 participants since inception.
He disclosed that besides participants from 30 African countries, the college has had participants from Bangladesh, Brazil, France, Germany, India, Nepal, and Pakistan.
Rear Admiral Olotu said through the President’s magnanimity, the college has embarked on unprecedented infrastructural upgrades, making the institution compete favourably with any other defence college in the world.
However, he appealed to President Tinubu to assist in the completion of the college’s permanent site in Abuja, noting that the institution currently operates from its temporary facility in the Central Business District owing to the non-completion of its permanent site since 2010.
The 111 participants of NDC Course 32 were drawn from the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as 19 international participants from Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America.
The college undertakes in-depth studies on all factors that affect national security and development.
The research centre in the college known as the Centre for Strategic Research and Studies is also designated as the ECOWAS training Centre of Excellence for Peace Support Operations at the strategic level.
Army busts oil thieves, recovers 200,000 litres stolen crude in Rivers, Bayelsa
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army 6 Division said its troops uncovered massive dumps where illegally refined products worth over 200,000 litres across various locations were stored in Bayelsa and Rivers States.
This came 24 hours after the Army destroyed several illegal oil refining sites and recovered products in Members, Bayelsa State and Odagwa in Etche local government area of the Rivers State.
On the latest discovery, the Army said it was made at Dasaba Creek in Bayelsa State, where an illegal refining site, one oven, and a massive metal reservoir containing products suspected to be stolen crude oil estimated at over 110,000 litres were uncovered.
These were contained in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday by the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division, Army Public Relations, Jonah Danjuma, and sent to newsmen.
The statement added, “In Rivers State, troops swooped on over 33,000 litres being siphoned into a tank.
“The operation was painstakingly conducted by troops, who traced an interconnected hose to a tank from the Indorama (Eleme Petrochemicals) pipeline, far behind the fence in the bush.
“Several items were also recovered from the sites. These include two pumping machines, a long hose, and eleven drums used to perpetrate criminality in the general area.
“Relatedly, troops of 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, while on routine patrols, successfully intercepted trucks ladened with products suspected to be stolen crude in Delta State.
“The arrest was made at SEPLAT Energy Nigeria Ltd trunkline, Mosogar. During the operation, the truck was discovered to have over 30000 litres of stolen products. The trucks have been handled in line with the subsisting mandate of Operation Delta Safe in the Niger Delta Region.
“Similarly, troops of 16 Brigade, Nigerian Army, intercepted a truck with Reg No Delta UDH 983 XR along road Elebele-Emeyal in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
“The truck was also ladened with over 30000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude.
“Also, troops deployed at Cawthorne Channel 1, in conjunction with other security agencies, successfully deactivated one illegal refining site with over 5500 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude.
“The site was located close to Well Head 8, behind Glisten Community in Degema LGA, Rivers State.”
The Army 6 Division spokesman said the breakthroughs recorded were in addition to other seizures made within the general area.
The statement added, “Four suspects have so far been arrested along Udoni Obiafu in Onne, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.
“The suspects are Freedom Effiong, Behaviour Power, Timothy Onyebuchi, and Lovetg Ifeanyi. They will be handed over to the relevant agencies for prosecution.
“These feats are results of the renewed effort by troops to effectively clamp down on economic saboteurs and their collaborators.
“Accordingly, members of the public are enjoined to provide actionable intelligence on the activities of these economic saboteurs in their vicinity to security agencies.”
