Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, on Friday warned ex-militants, oil thieves and other criminals in the Niger Delta to refrain from testing the will of the armed forces or face unpleasant consequences.

Badeh, who spoke at the inauguration of permanent site for the Headquarters of Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta in Igbogene, Yenagoa, noted that the military was now better positioned to protect the region.

He said that the armed forces had a long history in the region and urged the people to shun oil theft and illegal refining of petroleum products and other criminal activities.

Badeh explained that the Navy recently acquired the capability and weapons to patrol and secure the territorial waters while the JTF received additional equipment for land and waterways patrols.

“We have been here before, we all resolved to cease hostilities, we have a long history in the Niger Delta, from operation flush, to operation restore hope and in 2010 to Operation Pulo Shield.

“We thought that criminality in the Niger Delta was on the decline but it is on the rise again, we are after the bad people and we need the good people to support us and we provide a safe environment for development,” he said.

Badeh inaugurated the first phase of office accommodation for the headquarters of the JTF as well as unveiled the Pulo Shield magazine which is aimed at showcasing the activities of the task force.

Speaking earlier, Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral John Jonah (rtd.), commended the sacrifices of various security agencies in sustaining the existing peace in the state.

He also applauded the leadership of the JTF for initiating the idea of a purpose built facility for military use and operation.

In his remarks, Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Atewe, Commander of JTF, said that he embarked on the project of providing a purpose built permanent office and residential accommodation for officers and men to save cost of rent.

He stated that the JTF spends over N100 million annually on rented offices and accommodation for its operations.

He said that the JTF sought the support of Bayelsa Government and other security agencies in the state to actualise the vision resulting to the completion of the first phase of the project.

He said that the facility is sitting on 20 Hectares of land with several buildings for office and residential purposes, medical and fitness centre, officers mess amongst others at various stages of development.

•Photo shows Air Chief Marshal Badeh.

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