Otti Urges Action, Says Crude Oil Thieves, Illegal Refiners Are Enemies Of The State

Dr. Alex Otti, Governor of Abia State, has described those involved in the theft and illegal refining of the country’s crude oil as state enemies who should be dealt with as such.

As a result, Governor Otti urged members of the Joint Task Force South South, Operation Delta Safe, to step up their efforts against oil theft and illegal refinery operations in the state.

According to Kazie Uko, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Otti expressed this view on Friday when he received a delegation of sector commanders from the Joint Task Force team, which is responsible for securing oil and gas operations in ten states in the South South, South East and South West.

He condemned the activities of illegal refiners in Abia, warning that if caught, they would face legal action.

“Those who operate illegal refineries and other activities are enemies of the state and should be treated as such.”

“Whether it is in Aba, Ukwa, Port Harcourt, Bayelsa, or any of the other ten states where you operate. The government’s long arm must be used to catch up with them.

“We do not support any form of illegality. You can be confident that we, as a government, will provide you with every resource you need to carry out your operation here,” Governor Otti stated.

He urged the task force to work to secure the Abia Innovation and Industrial Park (AIIP) in Owaza, Ukwa West, and assured them of the State Government’s support in terms of logistics and intelligence sharing to make their task easier.

Governor Otti, while describing security as a top priority for his administration, emphasised that no meaningful development can occur in an atmosphere of insecurity.

He stated that citizens of Abia State had enjoyed relative peace for the past year until the incident at Obikabia Junction on Thursday, May 30, when five Nigerian army soldiers were brutally assassinated by criminals, and that the government was working around the clock to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

Rear Admiral John Okeke, Commander of Joint Task Force South South Operation Delta Safe, said he was in Abia to familiarise himself with the state, which is one of their coverage areas in the fight against oil theft and illegal refineries among oil producing states.

Rear Admiral Okeke, who took the opportunity to brief the Governor on the task force’s activities, stated that part of their mandate is to combat illegal activity in the oil and gas sector.

“The Federal Government thought it wise to establish Joint Task Force South South Operation Delta Safe with a mandate to protect oil and gas infrastructure and combat militancy, sea robbery, crude oil theft, and other forms of militancy that could have a negative impact on economic activities, with a focus on the oil and gas sector,” Okeke said.

He assured that the task force would work with the State Government and other security agencies to share information, and that they were determined to combat illicit activities in their areas of operation.

Rear Admiral Okeke requested the State Government’s logistical support in order to fulfil their mandate.