Illegal bunkering: Army destroys 36 tankers, six boats in Cross River

The Nigerian Army on Wednesday in Calabar said it
destroyed 36 petroleum tankers and six “Cotonou”
boats allegedly used for illegal bunkering in Cross
River.
The outgoing Commander of 13 Brigade, Nigerian
Army, Brig.-Gen. Okwudili Azinta, announced this
while presenting a scorecard of his command
activities in 2013.
Azinta said that the tankers and boats were
destroyed at different locations in the state by
members of the Joint Task Force.
According to him, oil theft in Cross River has
reduced while most creeks that are being used to
refine stolen petroleum products have also been
destroyed.
“With the combined efforts of the JTF in Cross
River, sea robbery and piracy have also been
reduced in the waterways of Cross River and Akwa
Ibom.
“Also, there is no militant camp in Cross River; the
Efut Esighi militant and shrine camps in Akpabuyo
Local Government Area of Cross River have been
destroyed by the Nigerian Army.
“All these were made possible by the zero
tolerance to illegal oil bunkering in the state,’’ he
said.
He said that the command under his leadership had
trained 40 officers on intelligence information
gathering.
“The army needs appropriate and timely information
to strengthen its operational network.
“The Army also needs expertise to collate, gather
and make information analysis which can be used
to arrest crisis before it escalates.
“The idea of the training was nursed from the fact
that the military needed such training on warfare in
the present 21st century, ’’ he said.
The commander also said that the brigade, under
his command, hosted and won the 82 Division Inter-
Brigade Proficiency Combat Competition.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the
command is executing some projects in the
barracks which include the renovation of the old
residence of the former Governor-General of
Southern Nigeria.
Others are single officers’ accommodation, 13
Brigade Urban Communication masts, and a block of
30 flats for soldiers and others.
Azinta has been transferred to 4 Brigade Nigerian
Army, Benin, as the new commander.
Azinta advised officers and men of the command to
key into his leadership style in building the Nigerian
Army worthy of emulation.