… Says investigation not needed
By Emmanuel Obisue
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor has conveyed the Federal Government’s reaction to the swift destruction of an oil bunkering vessel captured recently in Delta State.
The Defence Chief who spoke on Friday after a National Security Council meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja, said the action is in line with the rules of engagement.
Irabor noted that since the vessel was caught in the act, security agents subsequently set the “instrument of operation” ablaze, thus, there was no need to carry out any investigation.
“There are various approaches, various solutions to a problem and at any time based on certain factors, certain considerations, available to those that are at the frontline, actions are taken based on the directive which are contained in the rules of engagement.
“So, the burning of the vessel, it is because the thief was caught in the act and the procedure, if you are caught in the act, is that everything you are using to undertake that criminal activity should be destroyed and that was done.
“What investigation do you need that you find somebody who decided to deplore several pumping machines and has several hoses that are deployed to a dug out pit where crude oil is stored over a period?
“It was caught in the act. So, the instrument of operation was what was destroyed. I think it is straightforward. Whether that is the best is a different matter entirely but did they act in line with the rules of engagement? Yes, they did,” the General noted.
It would be recalled that Tantita Security Services owned by former militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, better known as Tompolo, recently captured a vessel used for crude oil theft off the Niger Delta creeks.
The vessel was subsequently handed over to Nigerian security forces who destroyed it afterwards, a decision which generated controversies, with some Nigerians suggesting that the vessel should have been preserved as exhibit to prosecute its owners.
Tompolo has also informed that about 58 illegal oil points have been discovered so far since the operation to end oil theft on the waterways of Delta and Bayelsa states began.
