Army Clarifies Okuama Operation, Says We Didn’t Invade, We Were on Routine Duty

The Nigerian Army has denied reports of an invasion in Okuama community, Delta state, stating that the operation was a routine exercise following the killing of military personnel on March 14.

BIGPEN NIGERIA (https://bigpenngr.com) reports that Major General Jamal Abdussalam, GOC 6 Division, stated this during the official inauguration of soldiers transit accomodations built and furnished by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited TSSNL operated by Chief Government Ekpemupolo popularly known as Tompolo at the 3 Battalion David Ejoor barracks Effurun, Uvwie local government area of Delta State.

Addressing newsmen, Major General Abdussalam, said it was not true that soldiers invaded Okuama, stressing that soldiers cannot invade communities within Nigeria, only external enemies territories.

Major General Abdussalam, explained that the army’s presence in the community was not an invasion, but rather a necessary measure to ensure security.

“We were there for a routine operation, not an invasion,” Major General Abdussalam said.

“I am not comfortable when you say soldiers invaded the place. This is Nigeria, they’re not coming from another country, they’re Nigeria army so if Nigeria Army soldiers go to a place and conduct operations why do you say invade?

“We’re not going to another country, this is Nigeria, we are conducting operations anywhere, we’re conducting normal military operations.

“Soldiers cannot invade a community within Nigeria. We are conducting normal military operations to mop up the area and ensure security. We will continue to go there as part of our mop-up operation.

“The community in question is in Nigeria, so why should you say soldiers invaded it? Soldier only invade external enemies’ territory, not communities within Nigeria.”

On allegations that the alleged invade might be civilians who wore military uniforms, the GOC said, “That is same allegations that civilians were using military uniforms to go and kill people and they say they’re civilians, we know that there are criminals that use military uniforms from time to time but they don’t move in gunboats and gun mounted on them and painted in army green”

The Army’s collaboration with private security agencies, like Tantita Security Services, has yielded positive results in the fight against oil theft, he said.

Major General Abdussalam however, commended Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) for their collaboration with the Nigerian Army in the fight against oil theft.

“We are happy with the collaboration with Tantita Security Services. The partnership has been yielding fruitful results. We have reduced oil theft in the region and have confiscated many stolen products.”

On the clampdown against oil theft, the GOC said, “you know the Nigeria economy is dependent on oil and gas revenue and as the President and Commandant in Chief have directed we are doing our best to secure all national assets.

“Our tentacles are spread to all states of the Niger Delta, from Rivers to Bayelsa, Delta, Akwa-ibom and others. We have reduced oil theft in the region and have confiscated many stolen products.

“Our advise to those Nigeria’s involved in oil theft is that they should look for other ways of eking a living and not only through stealing of our common wealth.

He reiterated his commendation for Tantita Security Services Limited for prioritizing soldiers welfare in the region and urged others to emulate them.

Executive Director, Operations/Technical Services, Captain Warredi Enisuoh who represented the Managing Director, Engr. Keston Pondi, said that that the effort of Tantita in the fight against oil theft couldn’t have been achieved without the collaboration of the Nigeria Army hence it deem it necessary to embark on the reconstruction project.

“As a security company, we are not licensed to bear arms and that’s why whatever we do we involved the Nigeria Army. Overtime we will realize a few number of soldiers have sacrificed their lives in the process of trying to ensure Nigeria is secure and there is nothing we can do to bring back those lives.

“Now this facility was an old facility but we don’t have an option than to give it a facelift. This is the least we can do, it is not enough, we are also going to seize this opportunity to ask others to key into this laudable project and help those who are ready to die for you”.