Military Can’t Exonerate Self, Bunkering Done Across Checkpoints— Ozobo, Activist

By Peters Monday, Abuja

A renowned Niger Delta activist, Comrade Austin Ozobo has carpeted the military, saying that the military cannot exonerate itself from involving in bunkering activities in Niger Delta region.

The rights advocate said it was not a news that the military is aiding and abetting oil theft in Niger Delta, noting that Dokubo-Asari is not the first person to have said this and that several reports on the bunkering activities in the country had fingered the military.

The statement reads, “We have witnessed it in several occasions. Go to the Forcados Terminal in Delta State, you will see by yourself.
Go to Southern Ijaw, you will see by yourself. They carry out bunkering operations right at the military checkpoints. They transport the products through military checkpoints. Bunkery Vessels were given military cover to load oil in Niger Delta.

“The military outbursts over Dokubo-Asari revelation surprised me . I believe President Tinubu is well abreast with the situation. Except he is from Niger Republic, else, he should know the true position of things in the country.
“The security agencies polluted and destroyed our rivers and lands when they were in charge of oil surveillance contracts. He should patiently investigate the situation from 2015 to 2022 and between 2022 and 2023, now that Tompolo is handling oil surveillance. The connivance of the military should be investigated and ensure that the military officers involved face the music.

“Tinubu should protect whistleblowers. Give them the support and cover to ensure that the cartel does them no harm.

“However, I do not expect the military to ask Dokubo-Asari to name the military men involved in crude oil bunkering. If they do that, definitely that will be a threat to peace in the Niger Delta region. Though the sky will not fall if Dokubo-Asari mentions the names of the military officers involved.

“I also think that the military might have challenged Dokubo-Asari to mention personnel involved to enable them to carry out a disciplinary action against such officers, and not to witch-hunt him. You know Dokubo-Asari has outgrown the level the military will unlawfully intimidate him.

“Therefore, I do not think that will amount to a death warrant. There is no cause for alarm. If Dokubo-Asari wishes to name them, okay, else there is no need for that. Let us not drag ourselves with the past, but make policies to strengthen our today and tomorrow.

“Mentioning military officers involved will not bring the needed solution, rather the country will spend time and money unnecessarily for legal battles with the accused persons.

“Again, apart from the military, there are other cartels involved, such as oil companies’ managers and government officials. Outside the declared daily production in the country, managers and foreign officials in the oil sector illegally load vessels to sell abroad daily.

“Some government officials and others operating oil wells are deeply involved in the fraud. I do not encourage my brother, Dokubo-Asari, to mention any name. Those involved know themselves. If they failed to stop then, they should face punishment.

“For now, let the President be concerned about sanitizing the oil sector, blocking further leakages and saboteurs.”