The National Coordinator of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Musa Saidu, has claimed that illegal oil bunkering is thriving in the Niger Delta region due to the involvement of security agencies. Speaking on Wednesday during an interview on Arise TV, Mr. Saidu alleged that efforts by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to curb oil theft are being undermined by security personnel who release arrested vessels.
“NNPC is doing its best to stop bunkering, but security agencies are not helping. Oil theft cannot occur without the connivance of security agencies. When illegal vessels are arrested, security agencies release them,” he stated.
Despite submitting reports to the government detailing the names of those involved in illegal bunkering, Mr. Saidu said the security agencies have failed to act. He recounted an incident where an army major released an arrested vessel after receiving orders from his superior.
“We identified a vessel loading in one of the creeks. We followed and arrested it. The GOC was alerted, and a major was assigned to inspect the vessel. However, it was later released. We confronted the responsible officer, but nothing happened. We even wrote to the Chief of Defence Staff, but the vessel was forgiven, and the officer involved faced no consequences,” Mr. Saidu explained.
He emphasized that the NNPC has made significant efforts to combat oil theft, including arranging meetings with security agencies. However, these efforts are continually frustrated by those within the security apparatus who are complicit in the theft.
“The NNPC has tried all it can to stop this oil theft, but nothing they can do. They don’t hold guns. They have arranged meetings between us and the security agencies, but those involved do not listen. We have identified names and provided all the necessary information, but no action is taken,” he lamented.
Mr. Saidu reiterated that the government is helpless in stopping oil theft because of the complicity of security agencies and influential individuals. “The government is helpless because the president cannot personally fight bunkering at the waterfront or the sea,” he said.
Nigerian Air Force spokesperson, Edward Gabkwet, told Premium Times that the allegations against security agencies require concrete evidence. “Merely alleging that security agencies are plotting isn’t just enough. The onus is on the accuser to provide proof. Except such proofs are provided, such blanket accusations should be discouraged.”
Similarly, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) spokesperson, Afolabi Babawale, defended his organization, asserting that arrests are made and suspects are charged to court. “We have successfully arrested 15 to 20 people and even burnt some vessels so they won’t be able to go back. We don’t stop at arresting; we ensure they are charged in court. We have records, pictures, and videos as proof,” Mr. Babawale said.
Last year, Niger Delta activist Asari Dokubo alleged that some military personnel were responsible for oil theft in the region. Speaking to State House correspondents after meeting with President Bola Tinubu, Mr. Dokubo claimed that military personnel intimidate the civil defence and directly tap oil from the source. The military responded by challenging him to produce the names of the personnel involved.
In November 2023, the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) reported to the House of Representatives that N16.25 trillion had been lost to crude oil theft, based on data from industry operators.
