Why oil theft persists in Nigeria – Navy Commander

The Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship Delta, Aliyu Sule, has identified impunity and slow pace of adjudication as factors responsible for the persistence of illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta region.

Mr. Sule stated this in an interview in Warri, on Saturday.

He said the process of trial of arrested suspects for oil theft was slow and encouraged the perpetrators to easily go back into the illicit act.

He said the cases of more than five ships apprehended by his command over stolen oil since 2005 were yet to be resolved in courts.

“It takes a longer time for justice to be done in matters of oil theft that is why the illicit business persists.

“So suspects should be tried almost immediately and jailed,’’ he said.

Mr. Sule stressed the need for effective surveillance and speedy trial of oil thieves, saying these were germane in eradicating illegal bunkering in the region.

He disclosed that his command had adopted a constant and effective surveillance of the hinterland from both land and air with a view to adequately comb the terrains.

He noted that the approach was yielding positive result.

“We will continue to go after them until they desist from it,’’ he said.

Mr. Sule, who assumed leadership of the NNS Delta in April, has destroyed 28 illegal refineries and over 2,700 metric tons of crude oil in less than three months.

The exercise was carried out in three separate operations between June and August in Warri South and Warri South-West Local Government Areas of Delta.

Mr. Sule said in the recent operation in Kantu forest on August13 in Warri South-West, nine illegal refineries and over 700 metric tons of crude oil were destroyed.

He said three generating sets and five portable pumping machines were recovered in the raid.

This is the second time Kantu forest would be invaded by naval personnel to destroy illegal refineries in three weeks.

“Again, my men raided Kantu forest and destroyed nine illegal refineries and about 700 metric tons of crude oil over a large expanse of land,’’ he said.

The Commander said the determination of the navy to combat illegal oil deal was in line with the Chief of Naval Staff’s zero tolerance for crude oil theft and other illegalities on waterways.

The commander also warned the perpetrators of the consequences of their actions, warning that whoever is caught would face the law.

(NAN)