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Oil Thieves Are Not From the Creeks – King Dakolo Alleges

Published

3 months 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

PHOTOS: Brazil Welcomes Tinubu With Full Military Honours In Brasília

Published

4 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

Brazil on Monday rolled out full military honours at the Planalto Palace in Brasília to receive President Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this on X on Monday.

Onanuga said Tinubu was welcomed by his host, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

He wrote, “More photos of the official reception for President Tinubu at the Planalto Palace in Brasília, Monday, August 25, 2025. Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva welcomed President Bola Tinubu with full military honours.”

News

Tinubu Signs Direct Flight, Other Agreements With Brazil

Published

4 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed a landmark Bilateral Air Service Agreement with Brazil, signalling the establishment of direct air links between Nigeria and South America’s largest economy.

The agreement was formalised on Monday during Tinubu’s official state visit to Brasília.

Media aide to the minister, Tunde Moshood, made this known through a statement, made available to The PUNCH.

At the signing ceremony which was witnessed by Messrs Nigerian President, Tinubu and the Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brasilia also had the Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, signed the agreement on behalf of Nigeria, while Brazil’s Minister of Transport, Silvio Costa Filho, also signed for the host country.

The BASA creates a new framework for direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil, with the potential to significantly enhance trade, tourism, investment, and diplomatic relations.

The statement further noted that, “ It also marks a key step in Nigeria’s broader efforts to strengthen international partnerships and improve global connectivity.”

Tinubu had arrived in Brazil with a delegation that included Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari; and other senior government officials.

According to the statement, the Brazilian President welcomed the agreement, expressing his administration’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Nigeria in sectors such as aviation, agriculture, and infrastructure.

He described the BASA as a reflection of the strong ties between both countries and an opportunity to deepen economic and cultural collaboration.

Tinubu is also scheduled to hold meetings with key Brazilian government officials, including the President of the Senate, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court.

The two-day visit will include high-level discussions between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations across various sectors, as both nations explore opportunities for mutual growth and development.

The statement reads, “The ongoing state visit will also see President Tinubu meeting the President of the Brazilian Senate at the National Congress, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court.

“The working visit, which continues tomorrow, will also feature high-level engagements between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations across various sectors, underscoring both nations’ commitment to building a future of mutual growth and prosperity.”

News

NAFDAC Warns Of Fake Postinor-2 In Circulation

Published

4 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control on Monday issued a public alert, warning the public about confirmed counterfeit batches of Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75 mg) now circulating in Nigeria.

The alert follows a report from the Society for Family Health, the marketing authorisation holder, confirming that they did not import the suspect batches.

Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) is a brand of emergency contraceptive pill containing the active ingredient levonorgestrel.

NAFDAC revealed there are noticeable labelling discrepancies between the authentic and fake products.

It said, “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) hereby notifies the public of falsified Type 1 and 2 batches of POSTINOR 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) product in circulation.

“The noticeable difference was found to be as follows: The font size of the text on the pin verification sticker appears smaller and has a wrong spelling of the word Veify instead of Verify on the fake; meanwhile, the text font on the sticker of the original appears bigger and more visible. There is also a wrong spelling behind the pack of the fake “Distnibuted in Nigeria” instead of distributed in Nigeria”, NAFDAC said.

NAFDAC identified the original Postinor-2 as batch T32458H, manufactured in February 2023 with an expiry date of February 2027 and registration number 04-6985.

The agency, however, confirmed two falsified versions: Counterfeit Product (Type 1), batch T36184B, manufactured in August 2024 with an expiry date of August 2028; and Counterfeit Product (Type 2), batch 332, manufactured in March 2023 with an expiry date of February 2027, both carrying the registration number 04-6985.

It said that due to the potential presence of incorrect, substandard, or harmful ingredients, improper dosages of levonorgestrel, and a lack of sterile manufacturing conditions, poses significant risks to individual health and public safety.

“The risks of administering falsified Postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) include failure of contraceptive effect, toxic or harmful contaminants, unpredictable side effects, delayed or missed opportunity for genuine emergency contraception, and potential long-term reproductive health impact. Unexpected side effects: Unknown substances can trigger allergic reactions, organ damage, or death.

“Counterfeit medicines are unregulated, untested, and illegal, making their safety and efficacy impossible to guarantee. Patients should only obtain Postinor-2 from verified pharmacies or licensed healthcare providers.

“Although Investigations are still ongoing regarding the source of the falsified product, all NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to carry out surveillance and mop up the falsified product of type 1 and 2 postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) within the zones and states,” it added.

NAFDAC urged consumers and healthcare providers to verify PIN stickers carefully, report suspected counterfeit products, and always purchase medications from reputable sources.