... commissions projects

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya, Monday, charged officers and soldiers of 6 Division Nigerian Army to“square up with oil thieves”in the South-South region of the country.

According to COAS, the oil thieves are sabotaging the country's economy by their illegal oil bunkering activities in South South Nigeria.

The army boss gave the charge at the Headquarters of the Division in Port Harcourt,Rivers state,while addressing troops, during an operational tour of the Division's Area of Responsibility.

While describing the oil and gas sector as the mainstay of the country's economy, Yahaya insists that the activities of illegal oil bunkerers and refiners are inimical to the economy of the nation.

He added that the troops must confront all forms of oil theft andsundrycrimes with renewedfocusand resolve.

Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier GeneralOnyema Nwachukwu said in a statement, that the army chief who pointed out that some elements will test the troops' will and resolve, encouraged them to be steadfast and tackle such elements headlong. "Yahaya lauded the troops' commitment and sacrifice for operating in a difficult and environmentally hazardous terrain", Nwachukwu said. "Gen Yahaya admonished the troops not to betray the trust reposed in them by the nation to protect the oil and gas sector, adding that they must remain apolitical and steer clear of political activism.

"He assured them that competence and diligence will be rewarded, while indolence and untoward behaviour will be punished.

"In continuation of the effort to improve the welfare of personnel and their families, the COAS commissioned newly remodeled accommodation Quarters for 6 Division Regimental Sergent Major(RSM).

"In the same vein, the COAS also commissioned 29 Battalion Medical Reception Station(MRS), newly constructed in partnership with Keves Global Leasing Ltd, the

Battalion Motor Transport Yard, Refurbished Vehicles, and newly built 29 Battalion Soldiers' Club", the statement reads.

Top army officers were in the COAS' entourage. Among them are; Chief of Operations (Army) Maj Gen Olufemi Akinjobi, the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Maj Gen Olufemi Oluyede, the Provost Marshal (Army) Maj Gen Robert Aiyenigba, the Chief of Military Intelligence Maj Gen Ibrahim Salihu and the Chief of Staff to COAS Brig Gen Aminu Umar.