The Ijaw Youths Network, IYN, has raised the alarm over what it described as an “intensive blackmail of international proportions” against the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, Dr Dennis Otuaro, Chairman of Tantita Security Services, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, and the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Mr Mele Kyari.
The IYN, in a statement on Sunday, said the ‘well-funded blackmail’ is being orchestrated by a cabal of oil thieves.
The statement, signed by IYN President, Frank Ebikabo, and the Secretary, Federal Ebiaridor, said members of the cabal are uncomfortable with gains recorded in the campaign against oil theft being spearheaded by Nigerian security agencies and Tantita Security Services, which is handling the Federal Government’s pipeline surveillance project.
The IYN issued the statement in reaction to the video of a protest staged in front of the United Nations headquarters in New York, United States. The protesters, in the video, were seen making criminal allegations against Otuaro, Tompolo and Kyari.
Noting that the protest was sponsored, the IYN called on the National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and other officials entrusted with Nigeria’s security to ensure a thorough investigation of those behind the event. According to the Ijaw youths, the sponsors should be brought to justice in the interest of national security.
The IYN also urged President Bola Tinubu not to be deterred in sustaining the reversal of the evils of oil theft against Nigeria and her citizens.
According to the IYN, oil thieves and their operatives, who are armed with billions stolen from Nigerians, have been funding attacks on Otuaro, Tompolo and Kyari.
“A virulent cabal of oil thieves with a vast network across international boundaries is on the rampage to orchestrate this campaign which attacks the economy of the country and its leadership,” the IYN stated.
“The oil thieves are pulling resources together with their international collaborators to undermine the President, national security and the nation’s economy.
“It is not unexpected that the deadly cabal that almost ruined the Nigerian economy by stealing billions of petro dollars from the country would not give up their lucrative crime without a fight.”
Continuing, the Ijaw youths stressed that the Tinubu administration, which has been able to attain 1.8 million barrels of crude oil per day after serious efforts in the battle against oil thieves, must be protected from the cabal.
The Ijaw youths further observed that some of the individuals fighting Tompolo, Kyari and Otuaro are among those who pushed to be appointed Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme without success.
According to the Ijaw youths, Otuaro’s antecedents, and his capacity to deepen consultations and sustenance of peace in the Niger Delta, might be hurting those behind the campaign of calumny in the region.
The group called on all sister organizations in the Niger Delta to support the campaign against oil theft, Tantita Security Service, the NNPCL and the PAP leadership.
“We are shocked at the extent to which this deadly cabal of oil thieves can go to orchestrate a campaign of calumny against hardworking people carrying out their lawful responsibilities in the Niger Delta.
“Of course, nobody expects a group of extremely wealthy, connected and influential people who has been involved in oil theft, stealing billions for years to go away without resistance.
“The show of shame in front of the UN headquarters is a most reprehensible attack on the country image, the President, national security and our economy.
“The unpatriotic characters are conniving with enemies of Nigeria in their criminal bid to bring back the dark days of oil theft and its impact on the nation’s economy.
“We call on the President to be firm in sustaining what is good for Nigeria. Tompolo, and Tantita have shown that it is not impossible to stop the menace of oil theft as shown by the daily production of oil rising to 1.8 million barrels per day,
“We also urge the Mr Kyari and Dr Otuaro to be firm in carrying out their official responsibilities to this great country. That oil thieves are focusing attacks on them shows in clear terms that their actions are suffocating their evil activities in the region,” the statement added.
DAILY POST reported that on November 14, 2024, the NNPCL announced that Nigeria’s crude oil production has hit 1.8 mbpd while gas production has risen to 7.4 billion standard cubic feet per day.
The development was attributed to the campaign against oil theft in the country.
Oil thieves cabal sponsoring international blackmail against Otuaro, Tompolo, Kyari – Ijaw youths