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Tag: oil thieves

  • Community to Delta Govt.: You’re shielding criminals, oil thieves

    Community to Delta Govt.: You’re shielding criminals, oil thieves

    It was a very dejected and nonplussed Chief Yangaboy Angalabiri that spoke with our reporter last weekend in Odimodi community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

    The over 90-year-old Amadiwei (traditional head) of the community was embattled; he was yet to fully recover from militants’ invasion of the community in the wee hours of August 31. Yet, another crisis is in the offing in his community. The old man, like most men his age, is battling a cocktail of ailments.

    “You have seen me; even if you do not know my age, you can know that I am a very old man. Yet, as old as I am, some people want to chase me out of my community and make me a stranger in a foreign land.

    “They are doing this because they have money, they have government and they know big men in the military. I don’t have money, I am standing on the path of truth,” he bewailed in a shaky voice.

    Odimodi has not known peace since the beginning of this year, or in a very long time. The community has risen against itself over the leadership of the community’s executive. There are allegations that a faction led by Preslyn Iyalagha is undermining the traditional institution and using wealth, influence and ties to the state government and security agencies to thwart the peace and orderliness of the oil-rich clan.

    Iyalagha is battling with the traditional institution over the establishment of a committee for the community.

    There seems to be no end in sight for the beleaguered community as the drums of wars seem to be sounding again. The threat to the peace this time around, is not from the camp of the militants who invaded the community on that long, fearful night of August, but the atmosphere is charged by a Delta State Government directive to security operatives to “invade” the community today, October 23 and install a new executive for the community, against the wish of the people, who have vowed to resist the move.

    A terse letter from Burutu Local Government Area, signed by the Secretary, Hon. Awisi Victor said Governor Ifeanyi Okowa directed the Local Government Area to oversee “the selection of a new caretaker committee to be headed by Ifiekorowei son by the Eluwe Congress of Odimodi community.”

    But those indigenous to the town are obstinate that the Eluwei (general) congress of the clan cannot be forced by a state government, which they also averred, lacked the powers to coerce them to install an executive when they have one that was legally constituted.

    n the wake of that directive, a gunboat of the JTF, carrying some exiled members of the community last week visited. It was learnt that the community accused those brought in and “their paymasters” of instigating the attack on the town, a suspicion which led to their banishment from the town.

    However, sources in Odimodi said the soldiers who brought them last week said they were directed by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Burutai to resettle the duo and others.

    “Two of the military men were Israel Owowo and Chigozie Igbomba. We don’t know the interest of the army in escorting people who were chased out of the town over the August 31 invasion, during which at least five buildings were razed down. They attempted a ‘coup’ to overthrow the legitimate authority of the kingdom. The Amadiwei and dozens others were chased into the bush by gun-wielding gang, who laid siege to the town until they were overpowered by the JTF troops from Warri.

    “Now, in a strange twist, soldiers who came to rescue the village from the invasion have now been sent to force those who we believe are part of those terrorising the community, back to the town. What kind of thing is that?” an aggrieved member of the town told Niger Delta Report.

    Meanwhile, it was gathered that the latest development was the fallout of a peace move of the state government. In a meeting held on September 29; one month after the invasion, it was gathered that the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Festus Ovie Agas, who presided over the meeting, sued for peace among the brothers.

    Sources in the meeting said the SSG impressed upon the committee on the need to “let bygone be bygone”, in the interest of peace, but his demeanour was construed as a ploy to force those whose houses were burnt soft pedal on their quest for investigation and prosecution of the culprits.

    Community representatives, who ostensibly had gotten wind of the mindset of the SSG, went with their position paper, which they presented to him after he allegedly refused to allow them speak.

    The document marked “The Position of the Odimodi in Re: The Bombing and Burning of Houses and Holding the Entire Community Hostage with Explosives, Guns and other Dangerous Weapons…” said the attack by the Red Beret militant group, was financed by one of the protagonists.

    “The macabre dance leading to the bombing, burning down of houses and holding the entire community hostage is a classic case of ‘corruption fighting back’ because the Odimodi community has said no to the sole sponsor of the Red Beret.

    “We are constrained to make this point clearly because we do not want the state government to convert the acts of criminality against our community as a mere misunderstanding between two groups in the community.

    If they intended to tie the arm of the SSG from helping “his friends”, they failed.

    Agas, in a letter No.SC/T.6/Vol.78/191 of October, said after the meeting, it was resolved and agreed on by all parties that the executive committee set up by the community should be dissolved to pave the way for another selected by an Eluwe Congress under the supervision of the council chairman.

    The letter further directed that all pending court cases should be withdrawn and directed security agencies (JTF) to maintain surveillance until the return of total peace.

    In what the community leaders considered a veiled threat, the letter, signed by A.C. Abuah on behalf of the SSG, said: “… the security agencies have been directed to deal with anybody or group of persons who violates the above stated resolutions.”

    The leadership of the community swiftly met and strongly denounced the ‘Resolution’ and ‘agreement’ claimed by the Ovie Agas-led meeting.

    In a letter to the governor, signed by Apostle Monday Laide, Elder Anthony Pudie, Chief Godspower Omonime and Chief SMB Bibaikefie (JP), a copy of which was made available to Niger Delta Report, members of the Chiefs/Elders’ Council, Amadiwei-in-Council and various clan heads, accused the SSG of bending the truth.

    The letter stated: “The fact that such agreements were not reached is underscored by the threat to use the security agencies to ‘deal with anybody or group of persons who violates’ them. You will agree that if all parties had agreed …there would be no need for the threats contained in his letter or fears of violating the said resolutions reached with the SSG.”

    They accused the SSG of attempting to force a predetermined “unilateral and dictatorial resolution” down their throat in order to protect his perceived allies and cronies who are fingered for the crimes against the community.

    “The SSG is acting the script of the trio of the Chairman of Burutu LGA, a serving member of the Delta State House of Assembly and a one-time commissioner in the state. Two of the suspects who attacked, bombed ad burnt down our homes are currently political aides of the same trio.”

    Rather than the autonomous resolution, the community demanded that the persons arrested in connection with their town should be investigated and tried in the law court and punished, if found guilty.

    “The SSG is poised to shield these criminals who are cronies and without any moral sense appoint these same persons to run our community government. The SSG is simply adding salt to injury and this will be difficult to take by the Odimodi people.”

    Continuing, they hinted that the state government was not interested in getting justice for the aggrieved people of the area, but to shield their supporters and those who aided their elections.

    “The brazenness with which the supposed agents of government are not only trying to shield these criminals but also insisting on imposing these same characters as members of the executive of our community using the machinery of the government is why we are requesting you to stop and call for a thorough investigation.

    “The SSG has repeatedly mocked the Chairman of our community, Chief Elex Pukon, whose house was completely razed during the August 31 attack…. SSG told Chief Pukon that the story of the burning down of his house was a mere expression of ‘misplaced sentiments’.

    “Even when Ebikeme Clark confirmed to the SSG that Chief Pulkon lost all of his properties in the attack, SSG mockingly told Mr Clark to buy Chief Pukon some ‘Okrika (second-hand) clothes’ to wear.”

    Speaking with our reporter on the crisis in the clan, Chief Angalabiri explained that there was no leadership crisis in the community as the public is being made to believe, explaining that the problem stemmed from the activities of persons who wanted to impose themselves as leaders of the clan.

    “There is no leadership crisis in Odimodi; what we have is a situation where some criminal elements want to start the business of illegal bunkering and restart militancy. The traditional leadership of the town, chiefs, elders and leaders as well as youths and women have said no. That is why we are being attacked by these boys.”

    He lamented that, in spite of the havoc wreaked on the community, carnage, razing of buildings and general bedlam, the government and security agencies did not deem it fit to take sides with the community, but instead chose to support the alleged criminals.

    “Government rejected us and we are left in dejection because we thought the government is to support the upright and just. But we were mistaken as the government wants to come and impose an executive led by our traducers. They have refused to deal with the criminals,” he said.

    The nonagenarian expressed concerns that the action of the government and security agencies’ lackadaisical response to the issue of militancy, oil theft and arson attack on the community could escalate the tension in the town.

    He remarked that unless the state government develops the willpower to insulate criminality from party affiliation and affinity, there would be no headway in the effort to bring lasting peace to the town.

    He particularly cautioned that a situation where acts of criminality are treated as ‘family affair’ while victims are mocked and treated with disdain by government official creates the impression that a section of the society is above the law.

    “Two suspects were arrested. Those quizzed made revealing statements to security operatives. But pressure from government ensured that they were released unconditionally.

    “Because we have stood on the path of truth and insisted on justice, we are being threatened and labelled as fighting the government because some persons are close to people in the corridors of power in the state and Burutu council,” he added.

    Mr Ovie Agas, who answered our reporter’s call on Monday morning defended the government’s directive, saying: “We asked them to find an in-house settlement.”

    Further attempts to get clarification on the ‘in-house settlement’ he suggested were rebuffed, as he declined further telephone calls.

    At the time of filing this report, uneasy calm pervaded the community. Some of those who spoke with Niger Delta Report described the situation as calm before the Friday storm”.

     

  • PDP Governors, oil thieves behind opposition to Amaechi –Ayiri Emami

    A Niger Delta activist and member of the All Progressives Congress in Delta State, Chief Ayirimi Emami, has advised the Senator Bukola Saraki-led Senate and other members of the National Assembly not to succumb to blackmail against former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi.

    Emami, in a letter to the Senate President, said the opposition to the screening of Amaechi by some politicians stemmed from his fervent support for President Muhammadu Buhari in the heat of the presidential election campaign and fear by some corrupt politicians in the region.

    He said state governors, who he alleged rigged election into offices on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are jittery and apprehensive over the ministerial nomination of Amaechi because of the former Rivers’ governor’s antecedent and anti-corruption crusade.

    “I dare to say that all the hype against Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi’s nomination as minister is the handiwork of PDP governors and Senators from the Niger Delta who are afraid that if confirmed as minister, Chibuike Amaechi, alongside President Muhammadu Buhari, will ensure the eventual death of PDP in the region.

    “I am strongly convinced that the pockets of petitions against the ministerial nomination of Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi is as a result of several reasons, which include his passionate support for President Muhammadu Buhari and other APC candidates’ election amid frightening opposition in the Niger Delta where he hails from.

    “Governors in the Niger Delta on the platform of the PDP are scared of Rotimi Amaechi’s antecedents as defender of the oppressed and thus afraid that if he is in President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet, their maladministration and corrupt tendencies will be roundly exposed to the advantage of genuine, as well as right-thinking Nigerians.’’

    *Amaechi’s fight against militancy, illegal oil bunkering and other criminal activities in the Niger Delta while he was Governor of Rivers State, is also one of the several factors why sponsored protests and petitions are flying against his confirmation by the Senate as minister designate.

    “This is not unconnected with speculations that Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi may have been penciled down as a possible Minister of Niger Delta Affairs by President Muhammadu Buhari. He who comes with equity must come with clean hands. Amaechi’s traducers should clear up the mess in their names, rather than wrongly accusing a man who has zero tolerance for corruption.”

    Emami went on to appeal to the Senate President and other senators not to delay the clearance of Amaechi as a minister, stressing that everybody who has the interest of the nation at heart would do well to support those nominated by President Buhari.

  • Shell: we lost over $50m to oil thieves, vandals in 2014

    Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has said it lost over 110,000 barrels of crude oil, estimated at $5 million in 2014, to oil thieves and pipelines vandals.

    SPDC gave the statistics yesterday at a seminar for reporters in Warri, Delta State.

    The company put its daily crude oil loss to oil theft and pipelines vandalism at 37,000 barrels.

    Its General Manager, External Relations, Igo Weli, decried the negative impact that criminal activities had caused the nation’s economy, the environment of oil bearing communities and SPDC’s business in the country.

    Weli said environmental pollution was caused mainly by vandals who burst oil pipes to steal its crude for illegal refinery or sales.

    He said: “An average of 110,000 boe/d (barrels of crude oil per day) was deferred in 2014 due to pipelines interference and other illegal activities.

    “An average of 37,000 barrels crude oil is stolen daily from SPDC JV facilities.”

    Weli recalled that from 2010 to 2014, over 92 per cent of the oil spills from SPDC facilities were caused by thieves and other saboteurs.

    The SPDC spokesman said this posed serious threats to the fresh water and marine environments in Niger Delta because those living in the coastal area could no longer fish or drink the water.

    He said: “It affects surface resources and wide-range of surfaces. Spilled oil can harm the environment in several ways, including damages that directly impact the environment.”

    Weli decried the encroachment of pipelines’ right of way by host communities.

    According to him, it has become a common trend for people to build around locations visibly marked as pipelines’ right of way without recourse.

    The SPDC spokesman blamed the situation on the non-compliance with the Survey Coordination Act of 1962 and a lack of awareness on the implication of living near areas marked as pipelines’ right of way.

    He said: “Ccommercial activities along the right of way (of oil pipelines) are common in urban cities and it should be discouraged.”

    Weli said SPDC would stop incessant oil theft and vandalism of its oil facilities.

     

  • Bad times for oil thieves in Rivers

    Bad times for oil thieves in Rivers

    For a long time, they reigned. From creeks to creeks, they set up shops. Their tools were crude; their tactics crude too; but the money they made was not crude. They were sweet cash made from almost zero investment.

    Welcome to the world of Rivers’ operators of illegal oil refineries whose presence was felt from Buguma to Okrika to Obio Akpor and many other parts of the state.

    The good times are going away. Almost no week has passed in the last one month that they have not had bad times with the Army or the Navy. Soon, the Air Force may even go after them. The police are also not left out of the battle to kill the economic saboteurs called oil thieves and illegal bunkerers.

    The country was shocked about three weeks ago when an illegal refinery was discovered not far from the Rivers State Government House. The Army made the shocking find. It is the biggest illegal bunkering site ever discovered anywhere in the country. It is near the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and two kilometres away from the Rivers state Government House, Port Harcourt.

    The Commander of the 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Brig.-Gen. Stevenson Olabanji, told reporters in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, that the discovery followed a tip-off. Thousands of litres of illegally refined diesel were discovered at the site.

    Olabanji added that army personnel were immediately deplored in the site, located at Makoba Beach.

    The Commander said: “About 16:40 hours on Monday, we got an information that some illegal bunkering activities were going on along Makoba Beach.

    “On arrival, our personnel discovered illegal activities, which involved bunkering (of illegally refined petroleum products) and lifting of diesel to local boats.

    “At the site, we found over 5,000 drums loaded with illegally refined diesel, four tanker trucks containing 132,000 litres of diesel combined and a badge with 165,000 litres of stolen diesel.

    “This discovery is unprecedented, because since we started our operations 10 days ago, this is about the biggest that we have uncovered.”

    Olabanji also stated that additional 150 drums loaded with about 3,150 litres of diesel were also discovered in 21 Cotonou boats in the area.

    He noted that 13 suspects were arrested at the scene of the illegal activity.

    The commander stressed that the illegal bunkering dump was yet to be set ablaze, in line with the Joint Task Force’s (JTF’s) mandate, in view of its closeness to residential buildings and the NPA.

    Olabanji said: “Our mandate requires us to destroy the site in situ, but we cannot do this because it will degrade the environment and affect residents, as it is situated in the heart of Port Harcourt.

    “Our plan is to move them to a safe location for destruction. Preliminary investigation has already begun to unravel the sponsors of the facility. The 13 suspects will be handed over to relevant authorities for further investigation and prosecution.”

    The commander also warned against sabotage of oil and gas installations by oil thieves, while assuring that the JTF would not rest, until it rid the state of illegal bunkering activities.

    He declared: “Let it be known that the army will not and will never tolerate illegal bunkering in our area of responsibility.”

    Olabanji also called on the members of the public to provide the JTF with timely information which could lead to the arrest of oil thieves and pipeline vandals.

    The Navy was to discover more a few days ago. This was barely two weeks after the personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS), Pathfinder, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt destroyed many illegal bunkering and refining sites in Rivers State.

    The naval personnel, who had been combing the creeks of Rivers State to prevent the activities of the illegal bunkerers and refiners, were offered N600,000, which was rejected, with four suspects subsequently arrested.

    Commander of the NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Shuwa Mohammed, spoke with reporters in Port Harcourt, after taking them round on aerial and land surveillance of the sites of the newly-discovered artisanal refineries in Rivers.

    He stressed that the arrested suspects would be handed over to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), for further investigation and prosecution.

    During the aerial surveillance, many artisanal/illegal refineries, hidden under the mangrove forest, were sighted, with the environment polluted.

    There are over 33,000 creeks in the Niger Delta, of which the NNS Pathfinder is saddled with responsibility of monitoring activities in more than 1,000 of the creeks and waterways.

    •Illegal refinery set ablaze in Rivers
    •Illegal refinery set ablaze in Rivers

    The commander said: “While earlier setting ablaze one of the illegal refineries in Rivers State, four out of the fleeing oil thieves came back and offered us a bribe of N600,000 to leave the refinery. They were immediately arrested.”

    Mohammed also stated that the mop-up was aimed at ending the colossal damage done to the environment by activities of the oil thieves, who he said through their acts of sabotage, had been puncturing pipelines to obtain crude oil illegally.

    The commander of NNS Pathfinder, who was represented by the Base Operation Officer, Commander Chidi Ejiofor, declared that there would be no hiding place for oil thieves and pipeline vandals in Rivers state.

    Mohammed said: “The mop-up ordered by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas, is part of a series of operations lined up to end incessant crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism in Rivers State.

    “During the aerial surveillance, many new illegal refineries were sighted, which prompted troops’ mobilisation.

    “In the course of our operations, an illegal refinery with 15 storage metal tanks, loaded with 145,000 litres of stolen crude oil, was set ablaze in Buguma, Asari-Toru LGA of Rivers State.”

    The commander of NNS Pathfinder also stated that more than 50,000 litres of illegally-refined diesel, stored in ten cooking tanks, was also destroyed.

    He noted that a metal badge and dump, with the capacity of storing thousands of litres of petroleum products, were also destroyed during the raid.

    Mohammed maintained that more operators of the illegal refineries in Rivers state, who had been fleeing the sites of their illegal activities, upon sighting the naval personnel, would soon be apprehended and prosecuted, to serve as a deterrent to others.

    He noted that in spite of the renewed efforts by the naval high command to stop oil theft, sensitisation was key, in order to end the illegal activity, rather than destruction alone.

    The commander said: “It is difficult to maintain 24-hour presence in all the creeks and oil facilities, especially considering the shallowness of some of the creeks, making them near impossible to patrol.

    “Sensitisation and government partnership with communities will greatly help put a stop to attacks on oil and gas installations, which not only affect everyone, but degrade the environment.”

    Mohammed also assured that in spite of the challenges being faced by the naval personnel, the mop-up operation would continue, until all the newly-discovered illegal refineries were completely destroyed and their operators arrested and prosecuted.

    Observers are of the view that if the security agencies can keep the heat on the oil thieves their days will be numbered, not just in Rivers but the entire Niger Delta.

     

  • Niger Delta: JTF arrests 21 oil thieves

    Niger Delta: JTF arrests 21 oil thieves

    … Destroys illegal oil bunkering sites

    The Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, Operation Pulo Shield, has arrested 21 suspected oil thieves, destroyed illegal oil bunkering sites in multiple raids in the region.

    This is contained in a statement by Lt.-Col. Ado Isa, Media Coordinator of JTF, in Yenagoa on Thursday.

    Isa said the raids were conducted within 10 days.

    Isa said that troops deployed to Oka pipeline in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo impounded an illegal oil bunkering truck with registration number EDO BEN 117 ZN.

    He said that the truck loaded with 16 plastic tanks of 1500 litres capacity was siphoning illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) at the time of arrest.

    The spokesman said the products estimated to be about 24,000 litres were suspected to have been illegally siphoned from the NNPC pipeline.

    He added that some of the vandals fled prior to the arrival of the troops while the truck was in the custody of the JTF for further investigation.

    He said some of the arrested were made at Ughelli-Warri and Orerokpe Community in Okpe and Ughelli North Local Government Areas of Delta.

    The spokesman said that items recovered from the suspects were rolls of stolen armored cable, two circuit breaker, 12 cutouts, two saw blades and bags of substances suspected to be Indian hemp.

    Isa said the recovered items were in JTF custody and would be handed over to the prosecuting agency after the preliminary investigations.
    He said JTF troops also apprehended an illegal oil bunkering tanker laden with 33,000 litres of substances suspected to be illegally refined AGO.

    Isa further said that five suspects were arrested while trying to flee the scene, while the truck was impounded.

    The spokesman said also that a notorious suspected kidnapper was arrested in connection with the kidnap of one Mrs Ufoma James.

    He said that the suspect was arrested at Oghara in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta.

    Similarly, he said Sector 2 of the JTF operating on Gbenekrukru general area of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa, destroyed six illegal bunkering sites where oil thieves operated.

    He listed items found and destroyed at the site to included four storage tanks, illegal oil storage pits and drums filled with illegally acquired AGO, hoses and pumping machine.

  • President plans to name oil thieves

    President plans to name oil thieves

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that his administration is close to ending the sharp practices in the oil and gas sector. The perpetrators will be named, he said.

    He also spoke of his ongoing search for “decent”, “patriotic” and “selfless” politicians and technocrats who will be ministers. The President has promised to name his ministers in September.

    Buhari, who spoke on his vision for a greater Nigeria on “Good Morning Nigeria”, a Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Abuja, pragramme, said oil was still being illegally exported by July 3.

    He said the Federal Government was working assiduously to expose those behind the reported under-dealings in the oil sector, promising to update members of the public on the government’s investigation into the matter.

    According to him, the government’s aim is to identify and prosecute all those found culpable. Shipping documents are being compiled for onward submission to countries of destination of stolen crude oil from Nigeria.

    His words: “The search continues; up to the third of this month (July 3), our crude was still being illegally lifted by people who are in government. We are trying to get these documents. We are getting the cooperation of the international community.

    “We are going to make sure that those who perpetrated this theft against Nigeria are faced with facts very soon and are taken to our courts.

    “We’ve got the cooperation of some of the countries of the destinations of our crude (oil) and we are discussing with them.

    “We have to maintain high confidentiality so that we don’t risk some of the loyal Nigerians that are helping us to trace the destinations of this stolen crude and then the accounts into which the monies are being paid instead of the Federal Governments account.”

    Buhari said his administration was studying the recommendations on how the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) should be reorganised.

    He described his recent trip to the United States (U.S.) as very successful as he was able to extract the commitment of President Barack Obama to assist and support the country in tackling its economic and security challenges.

    He said the U.S. and European countries had also pledged to assist Nigeria by putting in place a security mechanism in the Gulf of Guinea to check oil theft.

    Responding to a question on the quality of his Federal Executive Council (FEC), the President politicians and technocrats would make the list of nominees for ministerial appointments.

    He said: “From what I have seen so far, we need really patriotic Nigerians – Nigerians that can work very hard, knowledgeable, experienced, committed Nigerians – to be in charge of ministries.

    “A lot of the institutions of Nigeria – important institutions – were compromised. Everybody was for himself and God for all of us; it’s most unfortunate.

    “We have the people, educated people, experienced people but everybody seemed to be working for himself – how much he could get as much and as quickly as possible.

    “We have to look for technocrats and we have to look for politicians and certainly we have to look for decent people in this class to give them the responsibility of being in charge of ministries and important parastatals (agencies).”

    On the leadership tussle in the National Assembly, Buhari urged those behind the dispute to search their conscience and abide by the party’s decisions.

    He urged Nigerians to cooperate with his administration to develop the country and warned that no part of Nigeria would be allowed to operate on its own.

    The President added that Nigeria “must remain one”.

  • Ijaw youths urge Buhari to go after big-time oil thieves

    Ijaw youths urge Buhari to go after big-time oil thieves

    Ijaw youths yesterday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to go after barons stealing oil in large quantities.

    They spoke after an emergency meeting.

    Rising from the meeting, the youth, under the auspices of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, urged Buhari to develop and implement an economic blueprint for the region as a precondition for his proposed war against oil thieves.

    They said they would not stand against the President’s moves to curb oil-related theft in the region.

    President, IYC Udengs Eradiri, who spoke at a news conference after the meeting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, said: “We will support the government only when there is a clear cut economic plan that will serve as an alternative for the people.”

    As part of economic rejuvenation of the region, he asked the President to send redundant vessels and those yet to berth in Lagos to ports in Warri, Port Harcourt and Calabar to create jobs and empowerment for the youth.

    He praised the President for his eloquent speech during his visit to the United States, saying the President made the country proud.

    Eradiri said: “We want to commend President Muhammadu Buhari for his trip abroad. During then, he was able to articulate issues concerning Nigeria’s policies, especially the Niger Delta. We must commend him for the way he addressed the world about Nigeria. Truly, he is the pride of Nigeria.

    “But while addressing the world, he raised certain issues which we need to make input: He talked about curbing oil theft in the Niger Delta, which we support fully, his approach towards curbing the menace because the stealing of oil is actually degrading our environment.

    “Also, the development is actually a crime against humanity when people carry out certain actions that in the long run destroy the people’s land and their way of life.

    “But we must say that this oil theft did not start today. It is the attitude of successive governments that have led to our people struggling to survive. We want him to go after the big guns – those merchants who bring in big vessels to steal oil. They are the people he should go after.

    “We are not against the stoppage of vandalism of oil pipelines but he must have an economic plan. Our people right now need to survive. There is no more fishing in our areas and our lands can no longer produce the kind of things they used to produce. It is our position that while Buhari is coming to fight the menace, he must come with an economic plan.

    “We are saying that all those vessels in Lagos doing nothing, waiting to berth should be ordered to the ports in Warri, Port Harcourt and Calabar. By so doing, a lot of economic activities would begin to spring up in these areas and support the local economies.”

    He also observed that many oil-related projects in the region had been abandoned by the Federal Government.

  • Navy, JTF arrest three suspected oil thieves, vessels

    Navy, JTF arrest three suspected oil thieves, vessels

    Three suspected oil thieves have been arrested by operatives of the Central Naval Command (CNC), of the Nigerian Navy, in Ekeremor Local Government, Bayelsa State.

    It was gathered that the suspects said to be operators of illegal refineries and two of their boats christened, “Emmanuel”, were rounded up on June 4.

    The Flag Officer Commanding, CNC, Rear Admiral Stanley Ogoigbe, said at the weekend that eight pumping machine allegedly used by the suspects to steal the product were seized by the naval operatives.

    Ogoigbe, who handed the suspects over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for prosecution, said they were arrested along the creek of Bilabiri in the west senatorial district of the state.

    He said the suspects were tricked into taking a naval patrol team to an illegal refinery camp in the deep mangrove.

    He said their speedboat with the inscription, “Emmanuel”, gave them away as it tallied with another previously recovered by the navy at the illegal refinery camp

    The FOC reinstated the determination of the command and other security agencies to intensify the ongoing war against crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other criminal activities in the Niger Delta.

    He solicited the cooperation of the public in the war against economic sabotage.

    Receiving the suspects, the Deputy Commandant of the NSCDC, Aniekan Udoeyop, said they would be prosecuted to act as deterrent to others.

    Also, Operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield, apprehended a merchant vessel christened MV EUROPORT loaded with 1,500 metric tons of substance suspected to be stolen illegally-refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO)

    The 2,000-capacity vessel was said to have been arrested at the weekend following a tip-off.

    The vessel was said to have been rounded up at Foruopa in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

    The Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Cehtre (JMCC) Lt. Col Isa Ado, said in Yenagoa no arrest was made as the suspects on board the vessel jumped into the sea on sighting the JTF troops.

    Isa said the vessel was now in the custody of the JTF, adding that operatives operating in Eleme area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, also arrested an illegal bunkering truck.

    He said the 33,000 tons-capacity truck with registration number Anambra 784 AWK loaded with substance believed to be crude oil was arrested at Onne.

    Isa said the JTF’s action would discourage oil thieves and criminally-minded persons from engaging in any act of illegal oil-related crime in the region.

    He re-assured the public of the command’s determination to stamp out crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other criminal activities affecting the socio-economic development of the Niger Delta.

  • Navy parades suspected oil thieves

    Navy parades suspected oil thieves

    •Foreigners rescued in Warri

    The Navy has handed over two suspected oil thieves it arrested recently to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Warri, Delta State, for prosecution.

    The suspects were apprehended, following the Navy’s increased surveillance to combat crude oil theft in the Niger Delta creeks.

    The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta, under its new Commander, Commodore Aliyu Sule, arrested two suspected oil thieves – Braye Ogoba and Ikiere Benjamin – near Odimodi community, in the Forcados, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

    The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) the Central Naval Command of the Navy, Rear Admiral Stanley Ogoigbe, broke the news at the parade of the suspects and their handover.

    The Navy also handed over two Sao Tome and Principe nationals to the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).

    They were said to have been stranded at the Agbami deep offshore oil field.

    Rear Admiral Ogoigbe, who was accompanied by Commodore Sule, also said the authorities at the Warri Naval Base arrested a self-propelled barge, MV Chopin.

    The FOC said the barge, believed to be laden with stolen crude oil, was seized near the Forcados River.

    He said the two suspects, who he said were originally arrested by a community’s vigilance group with the aid of the navy, had given useful information on their activities.

    According to him, the highly specialised tools found on the suspects showed their plots.

    Rear Admiral Ogoigbe said: “We have been patrolling the waterways and our efforts yielded fruits when two suspected oil thieves were arrested before they could carry out their plan. They were arrested by vigilantes and handed over to us. They were going to open up an oil well in the Forcados.”

    On the rescue of the two Sao Tome and Principe nationals, he said: “They were rescued recently during our patrol of the waters. The two rescued black expatriates can only speak Portuguese. One of their boats was terribly damaged.”

  • Elections’ day as oil thieves’ good day

    While most Nigerians went to the polls on Saturday, March 28 to choose a new president and National Assembly members across the country, some gangs of criminals were having a field day plundering oil facilities in the Niger Delta and staling crude oil from facilities from Warri in Delta State to Bayelsa, Rivers and other states.

    No fewer than four massive crude oil tankers were loaded with stolen crude oil in the Warri and Forcados areas of Delta State during the period leading to and after the elections a fortnight ago.

    The massive heist was done in spite of the award of over N9billion crude oil contracts to former militant leaders in the area by the outgoing Federal Government led by President Goodluck Jonathan. The contract was awarded to Chief Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo) and his colleagues in Delta and other Niger Delta State. The Delta State axis of the deal was awarded to Oil Field Surveillance Limited, a company jointly owned by Tompolo along with some Ijaw and Itsekiri leaders.

    The plot to hit the goldmine was hatched when the masterminds of the illegal bunkering rings in the area realised that most security operatives attached the oil facilities would either be withdrawn and redeployed for election duties or would be too engrossed in the process to concentrate on their duties.

    The illegal bunkering barges, vessels and huge canoes were positioned prior to the eve of the elections. The boats and other paraphernalia of the criminal deal were then moved close to the bunkering site.

    “When they criminals realised that the military would slacken their watch and patrol, they started planning and strategising. It is even possible that they had been planning several weeks ahead of the operation because we all knew that soldiers and men of the Navy would be concerned with election duties more than on their constitutional duties.”

    A member of one of the highest ranking traditional councils in Delta State disclosed that boats started moving into the creeks through Warri in the afternoon of Friday, March 27.

    “The area is between Kokologbene and Dibigbene and the boats are passing through Lokiri Creek off Warri River to the loading point,” he said.

    Although the information was passed to a very high ranking officer at the Sector 1 headquarters of the Joint Task Force, ‘Operation Pulo (Oil) Shield’,  the illegal bunkering activities went unhindered during the period till late on Sunday evening. Sources, who live around the aforementioned communities, said there was neither a halt of wanton thievery nor arrest of any vessel by security operatives.

    “Some of us counted at least a dozen boats and they were all loaded and left the creek. We suspect that they were being used to convey the stolen crude to a bigger vessel, possibly a tanker waiting at the mouth of the Warri River or any other places. The operation continued throughout Friday night till Sunday and nobody was arrested.”

    A source said security operatives in the area were either directly involved in the heist or supplied the criminals with information about troops’ movement in the area.

    “We have consistently posited that there cannot be theft of crude oil from the area if the soldiers and naval personnel are not involved. This incident again has proven our position that they (security operatives) are all involved in illegal bunkering.

    “One time I went to tell a very high ranking officer at the Effurun Barracks about the activities of a certain illegal bunkering; their plan, location and how they are doing the business, immediately I left the base someone called me with hidden number to threaten me on the consequences of giving information to security agencies about illegal bunkerers. That, more than anything, convinced me that we cannot solve the problem of crude oil theft without purifying the security operatives deployed to the area.”