SaharaReporters has learned that all necessary plans have been concluded by the Minister of Defence, Mansur Mohammed Dan Ali, and the Chief of Defence Staff, Major-General Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin to pay an on-site visit to the scenes of last week’s oil pipeline vandalization by militants said to be loyal to Government Ekpemupolo (AKA Tompolo) in Delta State.
SaharaReporters has learned that all necessary plans have been concluded by the Minister of Defence, Mansur Mohammed Dan Ali, and the Chief of Defence Staff, Major-General Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin to pay an on-site visit to the scenes of last week’s oil pipeline vandalization by militants said to be loyal to Government Ekpemupolo (AKA Tompolo) in Delta State.
Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, confirmed the planned visit by the government officials to the State shortly after a meeting on the security of the State held at the Government House Annex in Warri.
The governor, while condemning the recent acts of vandalization, stressed that there were no plans for the security services to invade communities. He assured all of the residents of Delta State that they could go about their normal activities without any fear of molestation.
"This [vandalization of oil pipes] will not only affect the country's revenue but will affect the revenue accruing to Delta State and the eco-system," Governor Okowa lamented.
The Secretary to the State Government, Festus Ovie Agas, echoed Governor Okowa’s sentiments in a statement expressing regret over the recent attacks. The statement was issued during a meeting organized by the Delta State government on January 13 in Effurun to address the challenges of oil and gas pipeline vandalism and bunkering in the State.