The former Minister of Communications, Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju, has condemned the presence of non-state actors around crude oil pipelines in Nigeria, following the tragic killing of Lt. Col. AH Ali and other soldiers by Okuoma youths in Delta State.
He emphasized the need for constitutionally recognized military institutions to handle security around oil installations, proposing a comprehensive security template for the oil-rich region.
Olanrewaju called for the proper identification of such groups as militants, thugs, or hoodlums, rather than using euphemistic terms. He urged swift government intervention to prevent further escalation of conflicts in the region and emphasized the importance of protecting national assets.
Olanrewaju also advocated for a national institution to safeguard oil pipelines and proposed capital punishment for offenses related to oil theft and banditry in the Niger Delta region. He strongly denounced attacks on military officers and emphasized the role of armed forces in maintaining national unity.