Major General Alani Okunola, commander of operation “Pulo Shield” in the Niger Delta, said that the task force was closing in on those who are blowing up oil-pipelines.
The army chief promised that the JTF would stop at nothing till they make this form of vandalism a thing of the past.
Major General Okunola, who led his troop to inspect one of the blown up pipelines at Egwa II community in Warri South West, said the army would hold community leaders in whose domain such bombing took place responsible for any act of sabotage in their area.
He said that the federal government would do all it can to bring the saboteurs of the national assets to book as they were already closing in on the criminals.
Okunola said that henceforth, security agencies would enforce the extant law banning the use of outboard engines with 200 HP and above.
 |
JTF inspecting the sites of the pipe line explosion. |
The commander described the act as not only criminal but also capable of undermining the national security.
He pleaded with government officials and community leaders to give JTF and other security agencies in the region useful information that would lead to arrest of the perpetrators for prosecution.
According to him: “It was blown up three days ago. We are going to fish out those responsible.
“It was a massive sabotage and critical to national assets. There is no way we will fold our hands and allow the perpetrators to get away with it.
“We do not have our men deployed in the area that is why they have the opportunity to do it.”
The JTF commander said it was sad for anyone to put the nation in jeopardy by blowing up its national assets.
Vincent Obetta, Kanu’s
lawyer, who has represented him since the beginning of his trial at a
lower court, was not in court, but another lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, who
claimed that he had been hired to represent the IPOB leader, showed up.
A mild drama ensued as Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel asked Ejiofor to
leave, impressing it on him that Obetta was the legitimate counsel of
his brother.
Ejiofor tarried a while, but left afterwards.
The case, however, did not come up, and Obetta told TheCable that the
Kanu family was still trying to sort out issues regarding legal
representation for Kanu, who has been in detention since October 14,
2015.
On December 23, 2015, Kanu had refused to take his plea before Ahmed
Mohammed, justice of the federal high court, Abuja, citing lack of
confidence in the court.
This was after Adeniyi Ademola, another justice of the federal high
court, Abuja, ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to release
him unconditionally, and after a chief magistrate court discharged and
acquitted of charges of criminal intimidation and ownership of unlawful
society.
Meanwhile, Obetta has refuted reports that Kanu is ill, and that he is
being tortured in custody.
According to him, Kanu is in high spirits and healthy.
Follow us on twitter @thecableng
Read more at: https://www.thecable.ng/kanus-brother-orders-lawyer-out-of-courtgeria
Read more at: https://www.thecable.ng/kanus-brother-orders-lawyer-out-of-courtgeria
Vincent Obetta, Kanu’s
lawyer, who has represented him since the beginning of his trial at a
lower court, was not in court, but another lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, who
claimed that he had been hired to represent the IPOB leader, showed up.
A mild drama ensued as Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel asked Ejiofor to
leave, impressing it on him that Obetta was the legitimate counsel of
his brother.
Ejiofor tarried a while, but left afterwards.
The case, however, did not come up, and Obetta told TheCable that the
Kanu family was still trying to sort out issues regarding legal
representation for Kanu, who has been in detention since October 14,
2015.
On December 23, 2015, Kanu had refused to take his plea before Ahmed
Mohammed, justice of the federal high court, Abuja, citing lack of
confidence in the court.
This was after Adeniyi Ademola, another justice of the federal high
court, Abuja, ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to release
him unconditionally, and after a chief magistrate court discharged and
acquitted of charges of criminal intimidation and ownership of unlawful
society.
Meanwhile, Obetta has refuted reports that Kanu is ill, and that he is
being tortured in custody.
According to him, Kanu is in high spirits and healthy.
Follow us on twitter @thecableng
Read more at: https://www.thecable.ng/kanus-brother-orders-lawyer-out-of-court
Read more at: https://www.thecable.ng/kanus-brother-orders-lawyer-out-of-court
