Uncategorized

Oil theft-induced violence responsible

Published

1 year ago

HRM, King Bubaraye Dakolo, Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom and chairman, Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, an alumnus of the Nigerian Defence Academy and United Kingdom-trained security expert in this interview bared his mind on the Okuama tragic incident, crude oil theft in the Niger Delta and failed institutions fuelling insecurity in the region. Excerpts.

Okuama debacle
First and foremost, Nigerians are not being told the truth about what happened between Okuama and Okoloba which is said to be over land. You know back here in the Niger Delta, a mere boundary dispute will not lead to soldiers coming in. What has happened is what is called oil-induced violence. And if you look very well you will see that there are some oil wells around there, oil pipelines, oil routes, so that is what has happened. And this bit has to be told. Once you know that it is oil-induced violence then you know what the real ticks are.

So, lets’ look at it from the military end, unfortunately about 17 gallant military officers were killed and some guns are taken away by some persons. If you want to ask what has been going on behind the scenes? For the Joint Military Task Force, JTF, has been here for more than two decades. The JTF is supposed to come out against kidnapping, pipeline vandalism, oil theft and you will agree with me that all these have not been successfully dealt with. If you go to Port Harcourt prison, Yenagoa prison, Kirikiri prison or Kogi Prison, you won’t find any oil thief there, which means after more than two decades of national operation to stamp out crude oil theft it has not been a success story. As a matter of fact, early last year the production came down so low but right now they are trying to raise it up.

Oil thieves
The real oil thieves must be properly defined again. A real thief is someone who does not sleep in the Niger Delta of Nigeria, particularly whether in the creek or swamp. And if they have to they will come with law enforcement of all type, soldiers and police so that their lives will be secured. An oil thief more often than not will have a private jet, yachts, and will have properties in Banana Island and in choice places like Abuja, England, America and other parts of Europe. That is a typical oil thief. Unfortunately, Nigeria has mis-defined an oil thief. Everyone else who is entangled in oil pipeline vandalism and kpofire related are victims of oil thievery. The real oil thief steals the oil, of course, with vessels and the rest of them. What happened is there isn’t the right atmosphere for the education of the youths, no proper job opportunity or living opportunity and of course with the pollution and everything and even alternative means of livelihood for the people of the Niger Delta are not there anyone.

So, they become hands to be used in the business of the actual oil thievery. There is nobody in any kingdom or in the kingdoms in Bayelsa State and environs that has ocean going vessels that is used in stealing oil. About 95,000 barrels in one ship early this year and also last year about the same quantity stolen. The real stealing is going on. And usually, it is in connivance with the international oil and gas industry operators.

Attacks on military personnel
Now you want to ask me, ordinarily, is there a Nigerian that ever seizes and kills military personnel? The answer is no. So, what will provoke somebody or embolden somebody to that point where he sees the military as a rival in a cut throat illegality? That question has to be asked; I won’t answer that but let it be asked.
The other one is, is anyone other than law enforcement supposed to be in possession of assault weapons of any type? Do you know of any weapons producing factory in Bayelsa State, Delta, and Rivers or anywhere in the Niger Delta? Even in Nigeria, the Nigerian military imports weapons from America, Israel to mentioned a few, so what are weapons doing in the hands of civilians and how do they come in?

Failed institutions
So, if they are in their possession it means they were smuggled in. you have all the Customs executives in Tincan Island, nobody talked about them. So they allowed these weapons to come in without been sanctioned. No Nigerian is talking about them. The press is not even talking about them. That is where to start because; it is because these young people are having these weapons. And about weapons handling, it is the first to pull the trigger. If I shoot you first and it touches your heart or any vital organ good bye, it is not because I went to the NDA. So, Nigerians must look at it. Now if the weapons get to civilians’ custody, it means that the Customs and Excise has failed woefully and I can tell you for free that the Customs is more interested in what you know. Recently, some are being probed for stealing so much from bribes, that is how these weapons come into the country.

So, if we want to prevent this kind of things from happening, then they also have to pay attention to Customs. But beyond the Customs, if the weapons come in then the Nigeria Police is supposed to find them somehow and dispossess the civilians of these weapons. This can be done either with the military because it is an illegality for a civilian to have an unlicensed weapon and the authorities that give license is the police. So, if someone is in possession of illegal weapon it is the duty of the police to ensure that they comb that town and ensure nobody is having unlicensed weapon. The next one is will someone who is ordinarily normal take a gun and shoot at a military person, which ordinarily is supposed to be suicidal? The answer again is no. something must be wrong with him. He may be high on one substance or the other. If he is high on one substance or the other, assuming the substance is cocaine is there a cocaine factory in Bayelsa State. Even if it is tramadol, is tramadol not a banned substance? How did it come in? Again Customs and Excise and then of course, National Drug and Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, should be blamed. So, when institutions of Federal Government fail woefully you have this kind of problem. Most of these things are supposed to ordinarily be handled by the police.

Militarisation
If you read the book “Riddle of the Oil Thief” chapter 22 titled ‘Militarization’, the whole story is there. What happened in Okuama is predicted there, it is as if we are telling the Okuama story. This particular outcome is predicted in that book verbatim. It happened because some young people around see the military that has come as a rival group. In that book it is clear that the Nigeria police was emasculated in 1967 during the civil war and they have remained emasculated. The simple phrase to use is that the Niger Delta is militarised and as a matter of fact, the Nigerian nation is militarised with close to a dozen coup over the years and civil war, and because the exploitation of oil requires that type of brute force with a completely compromised regulator.

Brute force is what is being used instead of developing the Niger Delta and being fair to the region. So, in every oil installation in this country there are military persons and there is law enforcement. Most of those people who are making comments on what have just happened have never quite been to the Niger Delta. Be they television analysts and university professors, they should come to the Niger Delta and whether the squalor in which we live is where we should live. So, if the police were not emasculated, if the Niger Delta were not militarised, if the country were not militarised we won’t be in this mess.

So, in a militarised environment where agencies are not living up to their expectations, there are lots of loopholes. In fact, the Niger Delta has to be demilitarized but before you demilitarized the region, the police has to be up and doing. Again, if the JTF is doing what they call internal security, should internal security be forever? The answer is no, but it’s been done for twenty something years. As matter of fact, the military has been overstretched.

Difficulties in disarmament
If we must move forward then of course like I said before the environment has to be disarmed. The guns have to be retrieved and the fear is retrieving the one from community A and leaving the one from community B. Or you retrieve the one from ethnic group A and leave the one from ethnic group B. Once people fear, that is what will happen. They will not bring their guns so disarmament has been difficult. But it is so bad because there is no state police. In terms of curbing violence it is essentially in the hands of the federal institutions.

Maybe we should ask the police, how many policemen are there in Nigeria. I can tell you that it is about 500,000, less than a million police. Why is the police not recruiting enough men and you know very well that in most cases even the federal police, it is the state that will buy them cars, and everything. So they are not well equipped. The personnel are not enough for the job, so you have these cases. They should recruit more personnel and it must be done honestly so that every state has fair presence.

How do we avert another Okuama type of incident?
The warring communities should understand that they are fighting over crumbs. Their communities are all parts of someone else personal business concern, the communities and kingdoms are either OML something or the other which is a big shame though. But that is what it is and so they must know. And like I said, the Federal Government has to be professional; the military also has to be professional. The Federal Government has to be honest. So, I will advise that President Tinubu now that he is in charge he must properly understand what the issues are and consciously work assiduously towards that outcome.

Kinetic alone can’t solve the problem; they will need those who have the expertise to properly advice. Before President Tinubu there already weapons in the Niger Delta and so what is the direction towards ensuring that these weapons are not there. What is the way forward in terms of enlightenment of the people of the Niger Delta? What is the action plan towards ensuring that the Niger Delta is developed? What is the action plan towards assuring and reassuring that you can have a better lease of life, better education? If you ask me, would you want to come as low as what has just happened? The answer is no. and the difference is just because you have a source of livelihood and the light of education.

So, this has to be done. The underdevelopment of the Niger Delta is too sickening for you not to expect this type of stories now and then. So something deliberate has to be done. Above all I will advice Nigerians to go and read “Riddle of the Oil Thief” and they do they will understand this issue much better. Rather than the way it is been portrayed. As much as possible the military should ensure that no young person, child no woman that is not directly involved is victim of their effort towards arresting the perpetrators.

Spotlights

National Grid Collapses Again, Breakdown of 11 Affected States Emerges

Published

2 days ago

David Moore, News Editor

Ikeja electric blames load restrictions of transmission centers for power outage

The Nigeria’s national grid has again collapsed with the total of 50 Mega Watts drop, according to the report that emerged after the incident.

A breakdown of the affected states indicted that the collapse, which happened around 12:25 pm on Wednesday, September 10, affected 11 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). ...click link for full list here

EXPOSED: Jonathan/Bala Mohammed campaign posters flood internet ahead 2027

Below is the states and the affected areas according to The Cable:

1. Abuja DisCo: 20 MW

2. Benin DisCo: 10 MW

3. Eko DisCo: 0 MW

4. Enugu DisCo: 0 MW

5. Ibadan DisCo: 20 MW

6. Ikeja DisCo: 0 MW

7. Jos DisCo: 0 MW

8. Kaduna DisCo: 0 MW

9. Kano DisCo: 0 MW

10. PHarcourt DisCo: 0 MW

11. Yola DisCo: 0 MW

Total: 50 MW

EXPOSED: Jonathan/Bala Mohammed campaign posters flood internet ahead 2027

Uncategorized

I Don’t Have Much Time Left, No One Will See My Body – Prophet Odumeje Predicts His Own Death

Published

5 days ago

David Moore, News Editor

Leader of Mountain of Holy Ghost Intervention and Deliverance Ministry, Prophet Chukwuemeka Cyril Ohanaemere, popularly known as Odumeje, has made some predictions about his death.

Naija News reports that during a recent church service, Odumeje revealed that his time on earth is limited and predicted that no one would see his corpse when he dies.

The father of five described himself as one of the strongest spiritual men in the world, second to the late TB Joshua.

He claimed that his purpose is not about living long but fulfilling a divine mission.

The controversial cleric explained that his ministry exists to remove doubts about Jesus Christ, stressing that his message centres on the belief in one God and the power of Jesus.

“I am the strongest spirtual man in the world, after the general ‘Emmanuel’ TB Joshua. We are not many, we are just two. One has done the job and has returned home, remaining the Lion Himself. The dead man. I don’t have much time to spend here. Nobody will see my corpse.

“Our mission is to clear your doubt about Jesus Christ. Our mission is one God and one power, and that man is Jesus Christ,” he said.

Source: Naija News

News

PALACE SCANDAL: Tension in Osun as US-jailed monarch’s crown disappears from palace

Published

6 days ago

David Moore, News Editor

New developments have emerged regarding the conviction of Oba Joseph Oloyede, the Apetu of Ipetumodu, by a United States court in connection with a $4.2 million COVID-19 fraud case.

These occurrences arise amid discussions concerning the potential replacement of the beleaguered monarch, as reported by The Nation.

The absence of the ancient crown, referred to as the Aare crown, along with several royal beads, is generating considerable concern within the ancient town of Ipetumodu, which serves as the administrative center of Ife North Local Government in Osun State. Click link to continue reading.

This situation has unfolded shortly after U.S. District Judge Christopher A. Boyko imposed a sentence of 56 months of imprisonment on Oba Joseph Oloyede for his involvement in the aforementioned fraud.

Sources indicate that the removal of these significant royal items has been linked to aides and loyalists of the monarch, who allegedly orchestrated the extraction of the items from the palace.

“The ancient crown and royal beads have disappeared from his house, which doubles as a palace. He had demolished the ancient palace and moved all the paraphernalia of the stool to his home. But we learnt that a woman and some of his aides were given the task to evacuate the crown and beads. The disappearance of the items portends a grave dilemma for this town, whenever the need arises for enthronement of a new monarch to replace Oloyede,’’ a chieftain from one of the leading ruling houses said.

He said, “The crown is missing and the mastermind has no idea of what they are doing and the backlash on our town; they are looking for the fury of the deities of this great ancient community and it will be in their best interest to return the crown and royal bead before it’s too late.’’

The Nation recalled that Oba Oloyede, who holds dual Nigerian and American citizenship, was arrested in May 2025 in the US, alongside one Pastor Edward Oluwasanmi, after which they were both jailed for fraud.

Oloyede’s conviction has stirred calls for his replacement among princes and ruling houses jostling for the throne.

When The Nation visited Ipetumodu during the week, the once-bustling community was palpably tense. Although economic life continues with no disruption, the atmosphere was heavy with disappointment and uncertainty in the community, noted for a rich royal heritage and traditional leadership.

Streets and markets were abuzz with commercial activities amid hushed conversations, as residents weighed the shame and embarrassment against their loyalty to the revered stool.

Controversy over enthronement process of Oba Oloyede

There are two ruling houses in Ipetumodu: Aribile and Fagbemokun, which comprise several royal families. After the demise of Apetu of Ipetumodu, Oba James Adedokun Adego (Akunradoye II), in 2017, intense lobbying commenced among the heirs to the throne, especially from the Aribile ruling house, which consists of five royal families, namely: Ile-Elewa, Ajiga, Kiajee, Arowoosun and, recently, they added Latimogun.

Subsequently, Oba Oloyede emerged from the Latimogun ruling house and ascended the throne on October 26, 2019. Speaking with The Nation, a traditionalist who is also an heir to the throne, Prince Olaboye Ayoola, opposed the process that led to the emergence of Oba Oloyede, saying: “No traditional rite was conducted, and an Igbo man who is a civil servant put the crown on his head contrary to tradition.”

Ayoola said, “The disgrace we got from our jailed monarch is an indication that God comes with his judgment, and our deities are angry. This is because the process of his accession to the throne was unprecedented in this town. My grandfather, Oba Samson Ayoola Oyebode, was an Oba of this town, and he reigned between 1947 to 1970. It was written as part of the history of his emergence that once a king dies, the princes from the two ruling houses will come together and start meetings. Subsequently, the Chairman of the Local Government Council will address a letter to the next ruling house to produce the king within 14 days.”

Politics

“Buhari Was So Stubborn” – Tinubu Opens Up

Published

1 week ago

David Moore, News Editor

Tinubu Signs Student Loan Amendment Bill Into Law

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said the late former President Muhammadu Buhari was a stubborn person.

He made the revelation on Tuesday while recalling moments of disagreement with the former Nigerian leader during the formative days of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking while receiving members of The Buhari Organisation (TBO), led by former Nasarawa State Governor, Senator Tanko Al-Makura, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Tinubu said their debates in 2013 reflected the contrasting political cultures that shaped the merger.

“We disagreed to agree. We even argued about a symbol. He (Buhari) insisted on parliament, and I insisted on broom. He’s so stubborn,” Tinubu recounted, drawing laughter from the audience.

The President explained that despite the disputes, compromises were reached to cement the merger of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), culminating in the registration of the APC by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 2013.

The broom was eventually adopted as the party’s symbol. The merger would later propel the APC to power in 2015, ending the 16-year dominance of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Among the leaders in Tuesday’s gathering were Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda and former Governor Aminu Masari.

Buhari, who served two terms as President after the APC’s victory in 2015, died in July 2025 in London

Politics

Oborevwori tasks APC Members, Deltans On Voter Registration

Published

1 week ago

David Moore, News Editor

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has urged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to intensify efforts in mobilising eligible voters, particularly those yet to be registered, to participate in the ongoing voters’ registration exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The Governor made the call on Tuesday at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, during an enlarged meeting of party leaders at the ward, local government, and state levels.

He emphasized that all citizens who attained the age of 18 since the last registration in 2022 should be encouraged to register in order to exercise their franchise in the 2027 general elections.

Oborevwori explained that the meeting was convened to further strengthen the bond of unity among party stakeholders, stressing that with a united front, the APC was poised for victory at all levels.

He assured of his synergy with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the collective good of the state and the nation, even as he applauded the commitment of APC leaders at the ward, local government and state levels to the growth and development of the party.

“With unity in our party, no other political party can defeat the APC. We are performing well at the federal level, and we are equally doing well here in the state. The issue of voters’ registration is very important, and we must take it seriously. From the ward level, ensure that those who could not register before are captured this time,” the Governor said.

In his remarks, Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, reminded elected and appointed members of the party of their duty to return to their wards and local governments to mobilise registrants.

He noted that working as a team remained the surest way to advance the “Renewed Hope for More Agenda.”

Earlier in his remarks, the State Chairman of the party, Elder Omeni Sobotie who underscored the importance of unity, urged members of the party to continue to work together in order to enhance the electoral fortunes of the party in future elections in the state.

Also speaking, a party stakeholder, Chief Solomon Arenyeka, appealed to aggrieved members to bury their differences and work in unity for the growth of the APC and the overall development of the state.

Addressing journalists after the meeting, the State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mr. Valentine Onojeghuo, said the gathering was primarily convened to consolidate party unity and raise awareness for the ongoing voter registration exercise.

He stressed that unity and loyalty were indispensable for the party’s success in the 2027 polls. “Our first and most important takeaway from this meeting is the unity of the party because without unity, there can be no loyalty.

“The second is ensuring that all eligible young people turning 18 are captured in the ongoing registration. Once this is done, the 2027 general elections will be a walkover for our party,” Onojeghuo added.

Metro

Izeze hails late NANS President Moses Oisakede on 26th anniversary of his passing

Published

1 week ago

David Moore, News Editor

Delta State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, has paid glowing tribute to the late former President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Moses Oisakede, on the 26th anniversary of his passing.

Oisakede, who died on September 1, 1999, was remembered by Izeze as “a rare breed of student leader whose life of service was marked by courage, integrity, and an unyielding commitment to the welfare of his fellow students.”

Recalling Oisakede’s 1997 handover speech as Students’ Union President of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Izeze noted that the late activist stood out as the only union leader who boldly invited a probe of his own administration, leaving behind a financial surplus and disciplining corrupt executives.

“His moral courage and transparency remain exemplary to this day,” he said.

The Commissioner described Oisakede as a visionary who championed affordable education, resisted exploitative practices, improved students’ accommodation and welfare, advanced transportation options, and ensured uninterrupted academic calendars through constructive, non-violent resistance.

He also recalled Oisakede’s role in hosting the 14th NANS Convention and honouring fallen comrades with monuments.

Izeze, who was an acolyte of Oisakede during their NANS years, disclosed that he and other friends remained close to the late leader’s family in Otuo, Edo State, ensuring that his mother has never lacked care since his passing.

“Twenty-six years after his death, Moses Oisakede remains not just a leader of his time but a timeless symbol of selfless service, visionary unionism, and ethical leadership.

“His memory will forever inspire generations of Nigerian students and leaders to come,” Izeze declared.