The Nigerian Navy swiftly responded to Asari Dokubo’s allegations of military officers’ involvement in crude oil theft, calling on him to provide concrete evidence to support his claims. Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, the Director of Information at Naval Headquarters, highlighted the Navy’s efforts in combating oil theft and emphasized that they have seized crude oil products worth over N70 billion from illegal artisanal refineries operated by individuals in the Niger Delta.
Ayo-Vaughan explained that the Nigerian Navy has been actively engaged in operations aimed at curbing crude oil theft, including Operation Dakata Da Baro and Operation Delta Safe. These operations have significantly reduced oil theft in the Niger Delta, where individuals from the region are responsible for vandalizing pipelines and running illegal artisanal refineries. The Navy has taken decisive action against these activities, seizing more than N70 billion worth of crude oil and finished products from these illegal refineries.
In response to Dokubo’s allegations, Ayo-Vaughan expressed disappointment at the unsubstantiated and reckless statements made. He stressed the need for specific names and facts to support such serious accusations. The Nigerian Navy remains committed to combating oil theft and urged Dokubo to provide the necessary evidence to substantiate his claims.