ABUJA, Nigeria — Tensions rose as the Nigerian Navy, late Friday night, rebuffed allegations made by Niger Delta leader and ex-militant Asari Dokubo.
Dokubo, following a private meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa, made claims suggesting that the Nigerian Army and Navy were central players in the rampant oil theft in the South South region.
“We have to make this very clear to the Nigerian public that 99 per cent of oil theft can be traced to the Nigerian military, the Army and the Navy especially,” Dokubo insisted while addressing journalists.
The Nigerian Navy spokesman, , on Friday, June 16, 2023, swiftly countered these allegations, who challenged Dokubo to reveal the names of military officers allegedly implicated in crude oil theft.
The commodore deemed the accusations as “spurious and unguarded,” adding that Dokubo’s statements will not go unaddressed.
“If Asari Dokubo is seeking some form of relevance and he alleges that there are cabals of military personnel who are involved in crude oil theft, let him bring the names,” challenged Commodore Ayo-Vaughan.
He continued, “You can not make such serious allegations and think that we just sweep it down the carpet, there will be an official response from Defence Headquarters on this matter.”
Commodore Ayo-Vaughan argued that the Joint Task Force Operation Delta Safe, which includes land, maritime, and air components, has been actively thwarting oil thieves, safeguarding the economy from sabotage, and fostering a secure environment for businesses to thrive in the region.
The Navy spokesman insisted that the Defence Chiefs, including the Chief of Naval Staff whom he serves under, do not condone oil theft. He affirmed the Navy’s proactive involvement in the fight against crude oil theft, further challenging Dokubo, “for anybody to say there is a cabal of military officers, the only simple thing is bring the evidence, bring the names.”
As the nation awaits Dokubo’s response, the spotlight on oil theft in Nigeria’s South South region intensifies, stirring heated debate about military integrity and the insidious web of corruption in the oil industry.
