The Nigerian Army has stepped up efforts to secure oil facilities in the Niger Delta, training 60 newly recruited soldiers to combat crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism across the region.
The troops, drawn from the 89 Regular Recruit Intake, completed the specialised course less than two months after passing out from the Army Depot. The seven-week training exercise was conducted at the headquarters of the 3 Battalion in Delta State.
The programme was supervised by the Commander of 63 Brigade, Morounfolu Shonibare, and the Commanding Officer of the battalion, Abdulaziz Haruna, alongside representatives of other security agencies.
Addressing the soldiers, Shonibare stressed the strategic importance of the Niger Delta to Nigeria’s economy.
“The Niger Delta remains the economic backbone of our nation because of its oil wealth. Securing this region is not just a military task but a national priority,” he said.
He added that the exercise was in line with the Chief of Army Staff’s operational vision. “The training you have acquired over the past seven weeks is designed to transform you into a more professional, adaptable and combat-ready force capable of carrying out your constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency environment,” Shonibare stated.
During the course, the soldiers received instruction in crowd control, peace support operations, counter-terrorism tactics and the protection of critical national infrastructure.
Earlier, Haruna explained that the curriculum was carefully structured to prepare the troops for real-time security challenges in the region.
“This training was tailored to equip you with essential skills in internal security operations, counter-insurgency tactics, weapons handling and regimentation. You must apply these lessons with discipline and professionalism,” he said.
He emphasised the need for synergy among security stakeholders, noting, “Effective protection of oil installations requires sustained collaboration with other security agencies and private surveillance firms such as Tantita Security Services Limited.”
Haruna further urged the soldiers to remain faithful to the battalion’s guiding principle. “As members of this unit, you must live by our motto, ‘Ever Ready,’ and demonstrate it in the discharge of your duties,” he charged.
Oil theft and pipeline vandalism have continued to pose serious threats to Nigeria’s petroleum sector, particularly in the Niger Delta, where criminal networks frequently tap pipelines and operate illegal refineries, leading to significant economic losses.