Niger Delta activist Asari Dokubo has alleged that the Nigerian military, particularly the army and navy, is aware of the individuals responsible for oil theft in the Niger Delta region. After a meeting with President Bola Tinubu, Dokubo spoke to reporters and claimed that the army and navy intimidate personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), whose role is to protect oil pipelines. He described oil theft as a “crime against humanity” due to the devastating impact on the livelihoods of people in the region.
Dokubo stated that the army and navy receive substantial sums of money from organizations such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC), and international oil companies (IOCs). He alleged that in close proximity to these military personnel, illegal oil bunkering refineries operate, tapping directly from oil wells. Dokubo expressed his distress over the situation and emphasized that the theft of oil has expanded beyond pipeline attacks, with criminals targeting oil wells and setting up makeshift refineries, causing extensive harm to the people and their means of survival.
According to Dokubo, President Tinubu has committed to taking decisive action to end oil theft. Dokubo offered his assistance and pledged to work towards stopping this detrimental practice affecting the people of the Niger Delta, the oil community, and all Nigerians.
TheCable attempted to reach the army spokesperson, Onyema Nwachukwu, for comment, but there was no immediate response at the time of reporting.
