The leading civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers’ Association Of Nigeria (HURIWA), has issued a compelling plea to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The organization urges the president to adopt an unwavering, transparent, and accountable stance against the pervasive issue of crude oil theft within the military.

Furthermore, HURIWA has directed its attention to Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the Chief of Naval Staff, imploring him to cease the antagonistic approach towards the commendable efforts of a private maritime security firm led by Government Ekpemupolo. This firm, commissioned by the President of Nigeria, is actively involved in combating the menace of crude oil theft.

HURIWA has firmly called upon President Tinubu to exhibit decisive leadership and take action to root out the alleged conspirators within the Nigerian military who are suspected to be collaborating with crude oil thieves, operating as an entrenched cartel. 

“The silence of President Tinubu for over 48 hours since some Naval officers were inter­cepted by a private security com­pany escorting a ship conveying massive amounts of stolen crude oil in the Niger Delta is offensive. The President of the Federal Re­public of Nigeria can no longer enjoy the luxury of being lack­adaisical or lukewarm towards conquering the powerful cartel looting our crude oil resources and creating environmental damage to the environment of the crude oil producing commu­nities and depriving Nigeria of humongous foreign generated revenue.”

The gravity of the situation becomes even more apparent as HURIWA reveals that Nigeria has suffered a substantial loss in oil production and sales, with an estimated 65,700,000 barrels of oil forgone in the past year due to rampant pipeline vandalism and resultant oil theft. This translates to a staggering N2.3 trillion loss in oil revenue, based on prevailing exchange rates and average oil prices.

Commenting on the matter, Dr. Osagie Okubor, Chairman of Shell Companies in Nigeria, emphasized the dire consequences of the Trans Niger Pipeline closure. This critical pipeline, responsible for 180,000 barrels per day, has remained non-operational for an extended period from March 2022 to March 2023. Dr. Okubor’s remarks were made during the recently concluded Nigerian International Energy Summit held in Abuja.