Asari-Dokubo Reaffirms Allegations of Military Involvement in Niger Delta Oil Bunkering
Former militant leader and prominent Niger Delta activist, Asari Dokubo, has reiterated his claims regarding the involvement of members of the Nigerian military in oil bunkering operations in the Niger Delta. In a recent press statement, Dokubo accused soldiers of orchestrating and benefiting from the illegal oil trade, rather than the local ethnic communities who have long been blamed for the activities.
Allegations Against the Nigerian Military
Addressing the press, Dokubo stated that soldiers, rather than local ethnic groups such as the Ijaws and Ogonis, are at the center of illegal oil bunkering activities in the Niger Delta. He emphasized that the military's role in these activities is significant, with local populations often used as intermediaries or scapegoats.
"Since they don’t want us to keep secrets, we won’t keep it," Dokubo declared during a recent live broadcast, highlighting his commitment to exposing what he perceives as widespread corruption within the military ranks.
President Tinubu's Involvement
Dokubo also claimed that President Bola Tinubu had personally encouraged him to address the media regarding these allegations. According to him, when he first raised the issue of military involvement in oil theft, it was at the President's behest. This, he suggested, underscored the seriousness of the matter and the need for public scrutiny.
Exploitation of Local Communities
In his statement, Dokubo accused the military of exploiting local communities by using them as fronts for their illegal activities. He argued that these local intermediaries receive only a fraction of the profits from the illicit trade, while the bulk of the wealth is pocketed by the soldiers involved.
"It is not the Ijaws, Ogonis, or any other ethnic group behind the oil bunkering, but soldiers who use them and give them peanuts," Dokubo asserted, shifting the narrative away from long-held assumptions about the sources of oil theft in the region.
Conclusion
Asari Dokubo’s allegations bring renewed attention to the issue of oil bunkering in the Niger Delta, a problem that has plagued Nigeria for decades. His claims, particularly about the involvement of the military, raise critical questions about accountability and the true beneficiaries of this illicit trade. If these accusations hold, they could have significant implications for ongoing efforts to combat oil theft and corruption in Nigeria’s oil-rich region.
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