Army Dismisses Report on COAS Raising the Alarm Over Pipeline Vandalism During Port Harcourt Visit

The Nigerian Army has rejected claims that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, raised concerns over rising pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta during his recent visit to Port Harcourt, describing the report as misleading and malicious.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Army said a report published by Sahara Reporters misrepresented facts surrounding the COAS’s operational visit to the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army at the Port Harcourt Barracks.

According to the Army, the COAS did not, at any point, express alarm over an increase in pipeline vandalism, contrary to the claims made in the publication.

The statement urged the public to disregard the report, which it described as a futile attempt to blackmail the military leadership and undermine ongoing security efforts in the region.

Lieutenant General Shaibu visited the 6 Division on Friday, 9 January 2025, as part of his routine operational tours aimed at assessing troops’ welfare, combat readiness and operational challenges.

While addressing officers and soldiers during the visit, the Army Chief emphasized the strategic importance of their assignment to national economic stability.

“Your job here is very key to protecting critical national infrastructure, and once you do that job very well, it will impact positively on the economy of the country,” Shaibu told the troops.

He charged them to remain disciplined, committed and dedicated to the division’s mandate, while assuring them that their welfare remained a top priority under his Command Philosophy.

The COAS disclosed that some of the challenges presented by commanders during the visit were immediately addressed, particularly issues bordering on accommodation.

“We have approved the construction of additional accommodation, the renovation of certain quarters and the completion of some ongoing projects,” he said, noting that the interventions would significantly reduce housing challenges within the barracks.

He also assured personnel that concerns relating to their children’s education were receiving attention, while calling on the troops to carry out their duties conscientiously and remain guided by their officers.

While speaking with journalists during the visit, Shaibu explained that his presence in Port Harcourt was part of his maiden operational tour of the division.

“Normally, I go round various Divisions to see officers and men, interact with them and ensure their combat readiness. So I am here in the 6 Division area of responsibility for my maiden operational visit to see what the troops are doing, to look at their challenges and see how we can address them headlong so that they can go about doing their jobs seriously,” he said.

He further assured that outstanding challenges would be addressed promptly upon his return to Abuja, reiterating the critical role of the division in safeguarding national assets.

“Your jobs around here involve the protection of critical national infrastructure, which impacts our economy, so once you do your job very well, everything will be fine,” the Army Chief added.

The Army Headquarters stressed that security indicators in the Niger Delta point to sustained and commendable efforts by troops in curbing oil theft and pipeline vandalism.

It noted that these efforts have contributed to improved security conditions and supported continued exploration activities in the oil and gas sector, to the benefit of the national economy.

Colonel Anele cautioned media organisations against publishing unverified reports, urging them to confirm facts before placing information in the public domain.

She also called on members of the public to disregard narratives that seek to downplay the military’s security operations in the region.

The Army further appealed to residents of the Niger Delta to continue providing credible intelligence on the activities of economic saboteurs to security agencies, assuring that such information would receive prompt and appropriate response.