The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has charged troops of 6 Division Nigerian Army to eradicate oil theft and pipeline vandalism in their Area of Responsibility, AOR, to create requisite enabling environment for legitimate economic activities to thrive.

The COAS said this while noting that the activities of oil thieves and illegal oil bunkerers in the region were bleeding the nation’s economy in a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Yahaya gave the charge while inaugurating a block of 30 units of one bedroom flat accommodation for soldiers at Camp Tukur Buratai Barracks, Yenagoa, on Wednesday.

He urged troops to eradicate oil theft and pipeline vandalism in their AOR to create requisite enabling environment for legitimate economic activities to thrive.

Yahaya said that the project was initiated to address the dearth of accommodation in the Brigade.

He restated his commitment to improve on the welfare of troops by uplifting the standard of living of officers, soldiers and their families in Nigerian army formations and units.

According to him, it is in fulfilment of one of his pillars of command to provide efficient administration for the army.

He urged the troops to reciprocate the gesture by diligently discharging their responsibilities.

Yahaya also assured troops of his resolve to continually reward competence and hard work, adding that indolence and unwholesome attitude would be sanctioned.