Asari Dokubo, a former militant, has been accused by a non-governmental organization, Unity Advocacy Group, of fabricating allegations against the military regarding oil theft in Nigeria. The group asserts that Dokubo’s motives are solely driven by a desire for political recognition.
Dokubo recently met privately with President Bola Tinubu, after which he stated that ordinary citizens of the Niger Delta are not responsible for the oil theft in the region. Instead, he claimed that influential factions within the Nigerian military are the primary culprits. Dokubo confidently declared that these powerful forces would soon face consequences, with many individuals marching to Kuje.
The Nigerian Navy swiftly refuted Dokubo’s allegations, deeming them baseless and unfounded. In contrast, the UAG convener, Mr. Ifeanyi Aigbedion, released a statement on Friday, accusing Dokubo of distorting the truth.
Aigbedion pointed out that Dokubo could have pursued political patronage without resorting to making unsubstantiated claims. He suggested that Dokubo should have met with President Bola Tinubu to offer constructive suggestions on the country’s way forward. Aigbedion also raised concerns about Dokubo’s proposal to employ his own followers to combat oil theft, viewing it as a self-serving endeavor.
The Unity Advocacy Group posed pertinent questions, challenging Dokubo to identify the individuals responsible for the oil theft and whether they have tangible evidence to support his claims. They questioned the necessity of military and security agency involvement in the region if oil theft were not prevalent and inquired about the true motivations of those opposing anti-crude theft operations.
Aigbedion praised the sincere efforts of the armed forces under Gen. Lucky Irabor in combating oil theft in the Niger Delta. He emphasized that the current Chief of Defence Staff has made notable visits to the sites of oil theft, setting him apart from his predecessors.
In light of these accusations, it is essential to question the veracity of Asari Dokubo’s claims. Is he genuinely exposing the truth, or is he merely seeking attention and publicity?
