GOC 6 Division involved in oil bunkering, Rivers Governor Wike alleges

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, has alleged that General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Jamil Sarhem, has been running an oil bunkering squad to finance his ambition to be appointed Chief of Army Staff.

He cautioned that any attempt to appoint Sarhem as Chief of Army Staff, would spell doom for the nation’s failing security architecture.

The governor, who has had a frosty relationship with the GOC, particularly during the general elections made the allegation when the Commander of Joint Task Force Operation Delta Safe, Real Admiral Akinjide Akinrinade, visited him at Government House, Port Harcourt yesterday.

“The GOC is doing illegal bunkering, which he is using to finance his quest to emerge as the country’s Chief of Army Staff. He has his own team making money for him through illicit oil bunkering,” he said.

Wike claimed that Sarhem compromised security in Rivers State through illegal actions, adding: “We will have a security meeting and he will release the details to criminals. And the Chief of Army Staff will leave the man here because he is playing their role.

He, however, assured the Commander of Joint Task Force Operation Delta Safe that the Rivers State Government would support their operations to ensure that they defend the Niger Delta, especially Rivers State.

Responding, Akinrinade commended Wike for supplying gunboats, security vehicles and finances for security operations in the state and its environs and assured the governor that the Joint Task Force will not relent in fighting crime in the state.

“Governor Wike is a consummate politician and grassroots leader. As a man who understands National Security, he appreciates that National security itself is local,” he said.

When contacted, spokesman of Deputy Director, Army Public Relations 6th Division, Colonel Aminu Iliyasu, declined to comment on the allegation.