Yenagoa – Rear Adm. Tarioworio Dick, the new Flag Officer Commanding, (FOC), Central Naval Command, Yenagoa, has pledged to fight kidnapping, oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta.
Dick made the promise on Friday in Yenagoa when Rear Adm. Apochi Suleiman the outgoing FOC of the command handed over to him.
He said that the command would synergise with other security agencies in the area to tackle the menace of kidnapping and oil theft.
He solicited the cooperation of the people of the region by providing useful information that could aid the efforts of the command to check illegal activities in the marital domain in the region.
The new FOC said that those who perpetrate illegal activities in the area live in the community.
He said that the people owe it a responsibility to report suspicious movement to the security agencies for prompt action.
He commended his successor for the inauguration of various projects in the command.
In his remarks, Suleiman said that the Navy had been adequately equipped to stamp out crude oil theft, bunkering and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta.
He said that during his tenure, he conducted frequent patrols in the shallow creeks to degrade the bases of miscreants and suppressed activities of criminals.
“Nigeria has over the years been confronted with the challenges of curbing illegal oil bunkering, pipeline vandalism and criminal activities in the Niger Delta Region.
“These illegal activities have not only led to significant loss in revenue accruable to the government, but have also led to damage of strategic oil installations.
“They are impacting negatively on Nigeria’s national economy and security,” he said.
He said that the command had zero tolerance for illegalities within the command’s area of responsibility and beyond and warned those involved in illegalities to desist from such acts.
The outgoing FOC advised criminals to change into a new leaf and get involved in legitimate businesses or face the consequences of their illicit acts. (NAN)
