Why oil theft persists in N’Delta – Navy commander

AUGUST 15, 2015 : NAN
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Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship, Delta State, Commodore Aliyu
Sule, has identified impunity and slow pace of adjudication as
factors responsible for the persisting illegal bunkering in the
Niger Delta region.
Sule stated this in an interview with the News Agency of
Nigeria on Saturday in Warri.
He said the process of trial of arrested suspects for oil theft was
slow which encouraged the perpetrators to easily go back into
the illicit act.
According to him, the cases of more than five ships
apprehended by his command over stolen oil since 2005 were
yet to be resolved in the 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.
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.
NAN recalls that Sule, who assumed leadership of the NNS
Delta in April, had 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 State.
Sule said in the recent operation in Kantu forest on Aug. 13 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.
NAN reports that it was the second time Kantu forest would be
invaded by the 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 on crude oil theft and other illegalities in the
waterways.
The commander also warned the perpetrators against the
consequences of their actions warning that whoever is caught
would face the full weight of the law.