17 June 2023 Abuja: In a response to Mujahid Asari Dokubo’s claims that the military was complicit in oil theft in the South-South region, the Nigerian Navy has denied the claims. Mujahid Asari Dokubo is a prominent Niger Delta activist and former leader. The ex-militant was asked to disclose the names of the officers involved in stealing crude oil in a statement made by the Nigerian Navy spokesperson, Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan.
Dokubo asserted that the military, in particular the Nigerian Army and Navy, were in charge of 99 percent of the oil theft in the area. The Nigerian Navy, however, categorically denied these allegations, labeling them “spurious and unguarded.”
In order to prevent crude oil thieves from sabotaging the economy, Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan stressed that the Nigerian Navy was actively engaged in the fight against the crime. He emphasized the continuing “Operation DAKATAR DA BARAWO” as well as other actions taken by the Joint Task Force Operation DELTA SAFE, which had led to the discovery and demolition of illicit refining facilities as well as the arrest of alleged economic saboteurs.
When confronted with Dokubo’s accusations, Commodore Ayo-Vaughan responded, “If Asari Dokubo is seeking some type of relevance and he asserts that there are cabals of military people engaged in crude oil theft, let him bring the names. There will be an official response from Defense Headquarters on this topic; you cannot make such serious accusations and expect us to simply brush it under the rug.
The spokesperson for the Nigerian Navy reaffirmed the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff and the Chief of Defence Staff to deal with any type of wrongdoing within the military. He emphasized that the Navy does not tolerate any illegal activity, including the theft of oil, and he compelled Dokubo to offer proof and names to back up his assertions.
In order to reduce oil theft, Commodore Ayo-Vaughan also emphasized the joint efforts of the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The involvement of a company hired by NNPC for pipeline surveillance, closely collaborating with the Navy and Operation Delta Safe in the Niger Delta region, was also noted. Regular meetings between the Chief of Naval Staff and NNPC representatives were mentioned to evaluate operations.
The Nigerian Navy underlined its dedication to upholding a safe and peaceful environment in the Niger Delta and urged Dokubo to back up his claims with hard data. The Navy made it clear that it would not put up with any type of criminal activity among its personnel and that it would take the proper legal action if any of its officers were discovered to be involved in oil theft.
The public in Nigeria is waiting for more information from Defense Headquarters in response to the charges made by Dokubo, and the identities of those accused, if any, would be important in determining the truth of the allegations.
