Navy accuses oil thieves of sponsoring malicious media campaign against it

Rear Adm. Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, the Director of Naval Information,  said in a statement, on Thursday, in Abuja criminals, desperate individuals and organisations, who are actively involved in crude oil theft in the country were sponsoring spurious reports against the Navy.

He noted that the aim of the publications in some mainstream media and online news platforms was to discredit the Navy in its relentless efforts towards ridding the country of crude oil theft, and other forms of illegalities and criminalities in the nation’s maritime sector.

“Ordinarily, the NN would not have responded to such baseless assertions, but it has become necessary in order to prevent gullible members of the public from being misinformed by the erroneous publications,” the statement noted.

“Suffice to state that the NN in the discharge of her statutory responsibilities as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will continue to work tirelessly for the betterment of the nation’s maritime security.

“It is on record that the NN has always worked harmoniously with all maritime stakeholders nationally, regionally and internationally.

“The coming onboard of Private Maritime stakeholders for the protection of critical onshore economic assets in the sole interest of the nation’s economy is a known development provided professionalism and Standard Operating Procedures are upheld strictly.

“Hence, it is complete fallacy to allege to the contrary via sponsored ill-conceived and uncorroborated publications.”

Furthermore, Ayo-Vaughan said the Navy has been active in role curbing maritime criminalities and particularly oil theft, citing some of the operations, according to him, are: Operation Dakar Ta Dabarwo, Operation Calm Waters, Operation Nchekwe Oshimili and Exercise Sea Guardian, among others.

According to him, the Navy arrested 23 ships, over 233 suspects, 690 wooden boats with stolen crude oil and products, while over 703 illegal refining sites were destroyed in 2023, including tens of barges, 82 vehicles and tanker trucks were arrested and crude oil and petroleum products amounting to over N105 billion were confiscated and denied oil thieves.

He said: “It is not surprising, therefore, that these ignorant publications aimed at distracting the Navy are obviously sponsored by the soon-to-be-arrested criminals involved in oil theft who are feeling the impact of the Nigerian Navy’s renewed fight towards eradicating the menace of oil theft.

“The Navy’s effort has been visible leading to increase in oil production in the last six months as rightly reported by relevant authorities and the media.

“The Navy under the able and focused leadership of Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, will not be deterred by the malicious and misguided propaganda in the media.

“The sponsored campaigns of calumny will not deter the NN from carrying out her constitutional roles in the interest of national economy.

“Accordingly, members of the public are enjoined to jettison the highly unpatriotic publications.”