REVEALED: High Profile Nigerians, Militants Fingered In Syndicated Oil Theft In Niger Delta Region

 

BY OKAFOR CHINEDU MOSES

There are strong indications that the spate of oil theft in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria will continue unabated if urgent action is not taken to address the menace from the roots.

P.M. EXPRESS’ investigations in the past few weeks revealed that the syndicates involved the locals, militants in collusion with some international oil companies, top officials of Nigerian government and security agents who are responsible for what could be described as the syndicated oil theft operations going on in the oil-rich Niger Delta within the south-south of Nigeria.

Despite the authorities’ claims of being in charge stopping the activities of the economic saboteurs, it can be reported that open oil bunkering is ongoing without any hindering and check by these thieves who have been seen to get their support from the big guns in the society.

The investigations established that there has been high level conspiring security, top government officials and industry officials in the oil theft scandal in the region.

“I can tell you categorically that some top security agents and top officials of these government serving in Lagos and Abuja were part of the oil-bunkering consortium with their foot soldiers in this Warri axis,” said one of the local leaders who preferred anonymity for fear of being victimized and security reason while speaking with P.M. EXPRESS.

“Let me tell you, these people are cabals. They are everywhere, in the government, oil companies, security agencies and even among our local people in the communities in the creeks in the Niger Delta. There is large-scale and sophisticated oil theft machinery going on in the deep swamps at Yokri, close to the Forcados Terminal.

“How do you expect these people to get high-powered technology to steal crude oil from the trans-Forcados pipeline? These people are oil bunkers who are operating in all the major trunk lines in Delta and Bayelsa states.

The source continues his narration showing the high-level complicity of the people in President Muhammadu Buhari’s government in the oil theft in the Niger Delta region.

He said: “There was an arrest recently where some suspected oil syndicates were arrested, the captain and other crew members were apprehended. They were caught pumping crude oil from an illegal connection they affixed to a Chevron pipeline in the Warri River.

“Surprisingly, the authorities gave orders for the burning of the 87-meter-long ocean-going vessel, MT Deino, and over 650 cubic meters of crude oil recovered from the crew, which everybody knew that these supposed to be evidence for the prosecution of the suspects. It remains a puzzle to us till date.

“You can see the conspiracy and the involvement of the people in the position of authorities in this country.”

P.M. EXPRESS discovered that many military officers posted to the creeks and Niger Delta are far more richer than their own formations. The Nigerian military have much interest in the Niger Delta instead of fighting terrorists. Bribes are openly collected by the military patrols around the areas infested with oil bunkering.

P.M. EXPRESS’ checks revealed that there are many illegal patrols going on these areas where the security agents charter taxis and chase those carrying bunkering products upland. They are not doing this for the sake of policing the areas, but evidently to enrich their pockets.

“From the sea to the Defence Headquarters, monies are shared. These military men are living above their means. They should monitor these military personnel. If government wants to stop this oil theft, it has to investigate its officials and the security agents,” the source said.