Nigerian Navy Demands Concrete Evidence from Asari Dokubo on Oil Theft Allegations
The Nigerian Navy responded on Friday night to the accusation made by Asari Dokubo, a Niger Delta leader and former agitator. Dokubo claimed that he met with President Bola Tinubu in a closed-door meeting at the Aso Rock Villa and alleged that the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Navy were responsible for cases of oil theft in the South South region.
Dokubo asserted that the military, particularly the Army and Navy, played a central role in oil theft, stating, “We have to make this very clear to the Nigerian public that 99 percent of oil theft can be traced to the Nigerian military, the Army and the Navy especially.”
In response to the allegation, Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Navy, challenged the ex-militant to disclose the names of officers involved in crude oil theft. He described the accusation against the military as “baseless and reckless.”
Commodore Ayo-Vaughan emphasized that the anger expressed by oil thieves stemmed from the continuous efforts of the land, maritime, and air components of the Joint Task Force Operation Delta Safe, along with other operations in the South-South zone, to obstruct avenues for economic sabotage through the ongoing “Operation Dakatar Da Barawo.” These efforts have maintained a relatively secure and peaceful environment for business activities in the region.
“If Asari Dokubo is seeking attention and claims that there are military personnel involved in crude oil theft, let him provide the names. We are not afraid to uncover those involved in such activities. Serious allegations like this cannot be swept under the carpet, and the Defence Headquarters will issue an official response,” stated Commodore Ayo-Vaughan.
He further emphasized that the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff, under whom he serves, do not tolerate such behavior. The Nigerian Navy actively participates in combating crude oil theft and safeguarding the resources in the Niger Delta. Therefore, anyone claiming the existence of a cabal of military officers involved in crude oil theft should present evidence and disclose the names, according to the Commodore.
