A non- partisan advocacy group, the Unity Advocacy Group, UAG, has condemned comments credited to former militant, Asari Dokubo, that the Nigerian military is behind 99 percent of oil theft in the Niger Delta.
The group in a press release signed by its convener, Ifeanyi Aigbedion, Friday, while commending troops of Operation Delta Safe for their fight against oil theft, said Dokubo is being economical with the truth.
Asari Dokubo had while addressing State House correspondents after meeting with President Bola Tinubu on Friday, levelled the accusations against the Nigerian military.
UAG said Dokubo could have gone ahead and lobby for political patronage without raising unfounded allegations.
According to UAG, “Asari Dokubo can meet President Bola Tinubu and offer suggestions on the way forward, if he has it, without raising unfounded allegations at this time the new government is trying to settle down and proffer solutions to the economic crisis in the country.
“Even volunteering to use his boys to assist tackle oil theft raises eye brow and is more of selfish endeavour.
“Would the military and other security agencies have come in to the region if they had been no oil theft? Who are the real actors that are angry with anti-crude theft operations of the AFN? Can Asari Dokubo mention names of culprits, if he has them?
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria under the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor should be commended for it’s sincere approach towards unraveling oil theft activities in the Niger Delta.
“We are aware that no other CDS has visited the sites of oil-theft like the present CDS. Asari Dokubo and other person’s in the region should reciprocate the sincerity exhibited by the leadership of the AFN and chart a way forward.”
