Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has pledged sustained collaboration with the Joint Task Force, South-South, Operation Delta Safe, to combat crime, crude oil theft, and other criminal activities in Abia State, the South-East, and the wider Niger Delta.
The governor gave the assurance while receiving the new Commander of the Joint Task Force, Olugbenga Ladipo, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Umuahia.
Otti described the JTF commander as an experienced officer with a firm grasp of the operational patterns of criminal networks, particularly those involved in crude oil theft.
“You are a professional, and we have no doubt that we will work together to rid this place of crime and criminality. Once you understand how criminals operate, stopping them becomes much easier,” the governor said.
He reaffirmed Abia’s readiness to support the task force and requested the establishment of an operational base in the state to enhance rapid response and effectiveness.
“While your headquarters is in Yenagoa, we would like you to have an operational base here. I will provide accommodation and whatever is required, particularly in Ukwa West, where we have oil production,” Otti said.
The governor commended the JTF for its recent operations during the Yuletide, noting that Abia and the entire South-East experienced a markedly peaceful period as a result.
Earlier, Rear Admiral Ladipo said the visit was to formally introduce himself as the new commander of Operation Delta Safe and to brief the governor on the task force’s mandate.
He explained that the JTF covers all oil-producing states and areas through which crude oil is transported, including Abia, Imo, and Anambra states.
“Our mandate is to protect oil and gas infrastructure, stop crude oil theft and bunkering, and safeguard lives and property,” Ladipo said.
He noted that crude oil theft has evolved from pipeline vandalism to illegal activities at wellheads, adding that criminals now refine stolen crude using crude methods to produce diesel and engine oil, causing damage to vehicles and generators.
“Crime is dynamic, and we are adapting our operations to confront these new tactics. We are going after crude oil thieves decisively,” he said.
Those present at the meeting included the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba; Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu; and Special Adviser on Security, Navy Commander MacDonald Uba (rtd.), among others.
