Breaking: Minister Of Defence, Cds To Storm Delta Over Pipeline Attacks

Source: thewillnigeria.com

SAN FRANCISCO, January 18, (THEWILL) – In response to the multiple attacks on oil and gas facilities, the Minister of Defence, Mansur Mohammed Dan Ali as well as Chief of Defence Staff, Major-Gen Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin are expected to storm Delta state for on-the-spot assessment.

The Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, disclosed this on Monday after the state security meeting witnessed by top echelon of the Nigerian Navy, Army, and Airforce in the state at the Government House Annex, Warri.

The governor who didn’t disclose when the security chiefs will visit the state however dispelled rumours that there were plans by security operatives to attack communities in the creeks of Delta State as a result of attacks on some oil facilities.

“People should go about their businesses because, there are no plans to attack the communities. What we witnessed was unfortunate and condemnable,” he said.

While stating that the level of damage had not been assessed in monetary terms, Governor Okowa expressed confidence that security operatives are on top of the situation and calm had returned to the creeks.

He condemned the destruction witnessed as a result of the vandalism of the pipelines, observing that it would not only affect the country’s revenue but, would affect revenue accruing to the state and the eco-system.

THEWILL recalls that suspected ex-militants allegedly loyal to High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo) had launched multiple attack on oil and gas installations in the state purportedly in protest of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos which issued a bench warrant to arrest the ex-militant warlord.

Tompolo has since disassociated himself from the attacks.

Story by David Oputah