The Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, has explained why the Nigerian military has been unable to permanently end oil bunkering and theft in the Niger Delta region.
According to Musa, communities in the region protect those carrying out the oil bunkering while noting that the military destroy illegal oil refineries daily.
He also stated that these communities help to the oil refineries.
Musa stated this during an interview on Tuesday, December 19.
He said, “We are having a lot of problems with the communities in the Niger Delta. Some communities even protect individuals that do this (crude oil theft). On a daily basis, we destroy illegal oil refineries. (But) as we are doing that and turning around, they are fixing them (the illegal refineries) back,”
He expressed worry that those who engage in crude oil theft in the Niger Delta have developed capacities to fix illegal oil refineries destroyed by the military at a very short term.
he said, “We have seen situations where, eight, seven, six kilometers away from pipelines, broken, drawn perfectly and connected to individual houses and they are moving these things (crude oil) out,” he stated.
“We cannot be everywhere. If Nigerians report these issues to us, we will be able to address them.”
In another news, a trailer with faulty brake has reportedly killed a commercial motorcyclist at Amaokpala Village, along Umunze-Ekwulobia Road, Anambra State.
The State Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Mr Adeoye Irelewuyi, confirmed the incident to newsmen on Wednesday in Awka.
Irelewuyi said the accident was as a result of brake failure.
“The accident involved a commercial Mercedes Benz tipper, a commercial Mack Trailer, and the motorcycle.
“Four male adults were involved in the crash, while one of them, the motorcyclist, was killed.
“His body was taken to the morgue at Ajalli General Hospital in Ajalli by FRSC rescue team,” he said.
While sympathizing with the family of the deceased, the sector commander advised motorists to ensure regular servicing of their vehicles before plying the road.