Nigerian Navy challenges Asari Dokubo over oil theft allegations

The Nigerian Navy has reacted to the allegations by ex-Niger Delta militant leader, Asari Dokubo who said some military personnel are involved in oil theft in the region.

Dokubo made the accusation while
Speaking with reporters after meeting with President Bola Tinubu on Friday,

Dokubo also alleged that military personnel often intimidate officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) who are supposed to protect the oil pipelines.

Reacting to the allegations in an interview with NAN, Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, director of naval information challenged Dokubo to produce the names of those involved in the oil theft.

Adedotun said the navy had been battling against crude oil theft at all levels in the country and the agency has even gone beyond the shore of Nigeria to perform the same duties.

“You remember the case of MT HEROIC IDUN that was made to pay fines to the Nigerian government after they were arrested and brought back from Guinea Bissau, Malabo Island and made to face court orders,” he said.

“It demonstrated the will of the navy to go as far as even beyond our waters to arrest a ship that attempted to load without license, without due approval in April last year.

“I was there physically on board one of our ships at FOT in Onne when the navy launched Operation Dakatarda Barawo, which means stop the thief in Hausa language.

“Nigerian Navy has been fighting crude oil theft, taking the fight to the creeks and as I speak to you, our men are battling in the creeks.”

Ayo-Vaughan said Dokubo is simply seeking some form of relevance and favour from the new government, adding that the chief of naval staff will not condone such allegations.

“He alleges that there is a cabal of military people that are involved in crude oil theft, let him bring the names,” he said.

“Nobody is afraid of getting the names of those involved in crude oil theft.

“You cannot make such spurious allegations and think that we will just sweep it down the carpet.

“So for anybody to say that there is a cabal of military officers, the only simple thing to do is bring the evidence, bring the names