A former Nigerian Navy admiral with experience in the marine industry has urged Ahmed Bola Tinubu and other government officials to take strong action against the theft of crude oil. CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Vanguard claims the retired colonel suggested ordering the military to sink ships and their crews that were engaged in crude oil theft. He thinks this will successfully discourage Nigerians from stealing crude oil.
While security agencies, particularly the Navy and oil companies, often face accusations of complicity, the retired Admiral pointed fingers at the Judiciary. He alleges that the Judiciary frustrates security efforts by releasing suspects shortly after their arrest on charges of oil theft.
Officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) also face accusations of collusion in crude oil theft. The retired Admiral highlights instances where vessels with large capacities are approved to load only a fraction of their potential cargo, raising suspicions of foul play.
He said, “Sometimes, ships that have the capacity to carry two million barrels of crude come, are given approval by NNPC officials to come and load 200 thousand. So, 1.8 million barrels of vacancy will be in the ship? Is it sensible for you to rent a trailer from Lagos that can carry 600 bags of cement, you’ll now hire that trailer to go to Maiduguri to bring 20 bags of cement for you? It means there is an ulterior motive.”
“Some oil company people are the biggest culprits. On several occasions vessels were arrested with containers of products, NNPC will tell you that there were no missing products. So, where did these people carry this thing from?”
The retired Admiral further accused bankers in the oil theft cartel, claiming they collaborate with individuals posing as fuel importers.
He stated, “NNPC is there. But the worst are the bankers who connive with these so-called people who say they are importing fuel, by issuing them a fake form M. Normally the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR will authorize a vessel to bring in a certain quantity, but that vessel will not go anywhere. They will just collect product from NNPC and gallivant the whole waters, saying they want to discharge offshore Bonny. Then they will present the fake form M, which is evidence of payment.”
Describing the extent of the problem, the retired Admiral states that the entire system is at risk of collapse. He notes the involvement of influential figures, including senators and top Nigerians in and outside the government.
“It is a very big problem for Nigeria, I don’t know how it will be solved. We’re just waiting for the day the whole system will collapse. It has reached the level that you don’t even know who to hold culpable because everybody is involved. When I mean everybody, I mean from up to bottom.
“The ships are owned by the big ogas, all of them from up to bottom, in the name of our senators, top Nigerians in and outside government and the rest, are all part of the show,” he said.
The proposed solution involves the government declaring oil thieves as enemies of the state and authorizing the sinking of their ships without arrests. The retired Admiral believes such bold action is necessary to save Nigeria from those intent on draining its vital resources. CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
