President Bola Tinubu has applauded the valour and bravery of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, in curtailing the menace of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, farmers/herders clashes, secessionist agitation, and other violent crimes across the federation.
President Tinubu gave this commendation in Kaduna, during the graduation ceremony of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji Senior Course 46.
This is as the air component of Operation Delta Safe, uncovered and dismantled no fewer than 12 illegal refining sites and two reservoirs located in Abia and Rivers States, during a special air operations, aimed at minimizing the activities of oil thieves and other economic saboteurs, in Niger Delta region.
A statement by Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig Gen Tukur Gusau, said the President also tasked the college to redouble its commitment to professional development of the AFN.
Represented by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher Musa, the President noted that the military is essential to the security and stability of Nigeria as well as West Africa Sub-region and beyond.
Tinubu further said the College fosters an invaluable networking opportunities for future operational collaboration.
He called on the Foreign graduands to always remember the bonds forged and lessons learnt, keep the spirit alive, support one another and strive for unity and cooperation.
He told the graduating officers that most security challenges facing the world are both asymmetric and transborder involving mainly non state actors.
He added that the training will afford participants the opportunity to know how to counter such threats.
According to him, the past one year has been particularly challenging for the nation, but through the efforts of the military and other security agencies, the government has shown commitment to enhancing national security as well as a vision for a safe, secure, prosperous and strong nation.
He maintained that AFN is working tirelessly to enhance its combat effectiveness, operational capabilities and training necessary to eliminate the threat together with other stakeholders.
On a historic note, Gen Tukur concluded that the College, which has been in existence since 1970 had a total of 240 participants as senior course 46 who passed through a 50 weeks rigorous training. Amongst the students are foreign participants from other Africa countries.
Also, the Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, AVM Edward Gabkwet, in a statement on Sunday, said armed reconnaissance undertaken by the air component of operation Delta Safe, in Umueze in Abia State, revealed several illegal refining sites situated in many fenced households.
This information, he said was subsequently relayed to ground troops for further exploitation and necessary action.
“Heading towards Owaza, three illegal refining sites were observed hidden under thick vegetations, which were subsequently destroyed. Thereafter, the crew followed the river line down to Komkom and Okoloma in Rivers State, where nine illegal refining sites and two reservoirs were discovered and destroyed. In total, 12 illegal refining sites and two reservoirs were destroyed,” Gabkwet said.
He noted that the sighting of illegal refining sites in fenced living environments is indicative of the sophistry of the illegal oil refining trade that would require other means beyond air strikes to checkmate.
According to him, those engaged in these acts, especially in fenced living environments, are again reminded of their danger to human lives and health as well as the environment.
Gabkwet assured that armed reconnaissance missions as well as destruction of illegal refining sites will continue unabated until crude oil theft and other forms of economic sabotage are reduced to the barest minimum.
Ikechukwu Aleke
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