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Oil Thieves Are Not From the Creeks – King Dakolo Alleges

Published

3 weeks ago

May 27, 2025

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

The Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom in Bayelsa State, His Royal Majesty King Bubaraye Dakolo, has urged the Federal Government to redirect its focus in the fight against oil theft, asserting that the real perpetrators are not from the oil-producing communities.

Speaking during the Health of Mother Earth Foundation’s Book Reading Series on the topic Reflections: Ecocide in the Niger Delta, King Dakolo dispelled the popular belief that oil theft is carried out by youths in the creeks. According to him, the real oil thieves are wealthy and influential individuals, often residing far from the region, who exploit impoverished young men to execute their illegal activities.

“The oil thief is usually not from the Niger Delta. He doesn’t live in the swamps and cannot even spend a night there. He is a big man—sometimes a company or even a foreign country—that funds the operations from afar,” the monarch stated.

He explained that oil theft is a sophisticated crime requiring technical expertise, specialized tools, and even ships to transport stolen crude, which makes it far beyond the capacity of ordinary villagers. King Dakolo emphasized that those often labeled as oil thieves are actually victims of poverty, driven by desperation to carry out these dangerous acts for minimal pay.

“Oil theft is not a small man’s business. It involves breaking pipelines, which requires specific knowledge and equipment. The main beneficiaries are insiders in the oil industry who reap massive profits from these illegal activities,” he noted.

King Dakolo pointed fingers at the oil and gas regulators for their continued failure to address the issue. He described regulatory agencies like the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) as weak and compromised, accusing them of colluding with International Oil Companies (IOCs).

“Our regulators are among the worst in the world. They have no helicopters, no boats, not even houseboats. They rely on the oil companies for transport and logistics, which makes them susceptible to manipulation,” he lamented.

He further explained how pipeline vandalism has become a source of massive profit for certain players within the industry.

“When a pipeline is vandalized, repairs can cost up to a billion dollars. And the contracts for these repairs usually go to people within the industry, not locals. So, it’s in their interest to keep the cycle going,” he added.

The king also criticized the Federal Government for failing to provide quality fuel products across the country, arguing that this failure drives demand for illegally refined fuel from vandalized pipelines.

In his concluding remarks, King Dakolo painted a grim picture of the Niger Delta, describing it as a region ravaged by pollution from oil exploration and theft, and called for decisive action to protect both the environment and the people.

On his part, Dr. Nnimmo Bassey, Executive Director, HOMEF, said those who ought to protect the environment and the people are not interested in that rather profit from the oil and gas sector.

“In Nigeria, the forces that ought to be protecting the environment are not interested. The government and the companies are more interested in the dollars that come from the crude oil, and not about the quality of life the people live.

“Nobody can tell me that those who are in authority care about the environment after over 70 years of non-stop gas fare,” he said.

News

Benue Crisis: I’m Happy Nigerians Rebuked You – VDM Slams Billionaire Kiddwaya For Donation Appeal

Published

16 minutes ago

June 20, 2025

Editor

Social commentator and activist, VeryDarkMan has called out billionaire heir and reality star Kiddwaya for seeking public donations to support victims of the recent attack in Yelwata, Benue State.

Kiddwaya had shared a post on X (formerly Twitter), urging Nigerians to contribute funds for the affected community.

However, the post drew widespread criticism, leading him to delete it.

Reacting in a video also posted on X, VeryDarkMan condemned the move, questioning the sincerity of someone who is known for flaunting his wealth, now asking ordinary citizens for money.

“The first thing you could do, you just quickly do one write up next thing you go drop account number. How would you know what the Benue people need when you never go there. You just dey wherever you dey, write one nonsense letter come drop account,” he said.

The activist added, “I’m happy Nigerians rebuked you to the point wey you go delete am, e sweet my body. Because you na guy man wey like dey brag about your wealth. Every time you rub your wealth on people’s face, show say na you better pass every Nigerian.”

VeryDarkMan also cautioned NGOs against exploiting the crisis in Benue by raising funds for food items, arguing that the real issue is insecurity, not hunger.

“To every NGO in the country that might want to take advantage of the happenings in Benue State, the people of Benue are not hungry. You will collect money from government say una wan bring relief material una go bring rice beans garri, the people of Benue are not starving, food is not their problem, insecurity is,” he said.

He proposed that financial support should only be solicited if community leaders set up vigilante groups and receive approval from the Inspector General of Police to bear arms.

“If the community leaders of its local government can come out, set up a vigilante, write to the inspector general of police that they need arms, if the inspector general of police approves of arms, we go put account number online tell every Nigerian even if na 5 Naira contribute.

“This isn’t the time to talk and keep quiet, it is beyond that, everybody needs to play their part.”

News

VIDEO: Wike Promises Pay Rise After Band Sings In Chinese At Road Unveiling

Published

56 minutes ago

June 20, 2025

Editor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Thursday left many Nigerians amused after he publicly promised to increase the wages of his official music band during a project commissioning in Abuja.

Wike made the announcement while commissioning the newly completed collector road from Mabushi to the Judges’ Quarters in Katampe, a project executed by a Chinese construction firm.

Midway into the event, the band’s lead singer entertained the crowd with a hilarious twist, mimicking a song in what appeared to be ‘Chinese’, in a nod to the nationality of the contractors.

Impressed by their performance, the Minister announced that he would increase their wages.

“Now that the musician can sing in Chinese language, his fee will be increased,” the minister said, drawing laughter and applause from the crowd.

Shortly after his statement, the band broke into another tune, chanting, Agreement is agreement ooo, “Agreement is agreement ooo, Nysome Wike don talk am, Chinese people go see, Agreement is agreement ooo,” before ending with the phrase “Chi hu chan.”

https://twitter.com/i/status/1936079174038331767https://twitter.com/i/status/1936079174038331767

News

Anambra Directs Residents To Repaint Houses

Published

6 hours ago

June 20, 2025

Editor

The Anambra State Government has directed residents and occupants of dilapidated buildings defacing the environment in public view areas across the state to repaint their structures, adding that regulators will be embarking on field operations to enforce compliance beginning from July 1.

In a press statement released on Thursday, the state Commissioner for Environment, Dr Felix Odimegwu, said repainting of buildings with particular emphasis in Onitsha, Awka, Nkpor, Nnewi and Ekwuluobia areas, respectively, will commence with immediate effect with the aim of achieving a clean, beautiful and eco-friendly environment.

Odimegwu said concerned residents and corporate organisations in the areas mentioned are required to repaint their houses/buildings, especially those that have not been repainted in the last 10 years or buildings whose current paint is defacing the environment.

He said the exercise is aimed at strengthening the existing building structures, improving the aesthetic ambience, and the green space of the state as enshrined in the Anambra State Environmental Management, Protection and Administration Law 2024, Part 4 sec 79 (1-7).

The statement partly read, “Notice is hereby given to all residents and occupants of buildings which are in public view areas of the state with particular emphasis on Onitsha, Awka, Nkpor, Nnewil and Ekwuluobia respectively, that general house hold inspection on dilapidated and unpainted structures defacing the environment shall commence with immediate effect.

“This exercise is aimed at strengthening the existing building structures, improving the aesthetic ambience, and the green space of the state as enshrined in the Anambra State Environmental Management, Protection and Administration Law 2024, Part 4 sec 79 (1-7).

“Hence, residents are enjoined to fully maintain, repaint (if necessary) their residential and commercial premises which are in public view (anyaora) areas.”

He added that the Anambra State Environmental Management Protection and Administration Law 2024 provides the legal framework for beautification and aesthetic face-lifting of the state.

“Regulators will be embarking on field operations starting from July 1, 2025, for this particular purpose. Therefore, concerned individuals and corporate organisations within the purview as stated above are required to repaint their houses/buildings, especially those that have not been repainted in the last 10 years or buildings whose current paint is defacing the environment.

“A clean, beautiful and eco-friendly Anambra is possible if we join hands together to improve her aesthetic ambience,” the statement added.