“Ohaneze Group Urges DSS Chief to Probe Nigerian Navy’s Release of MT Lady Matilda in Oil Bunkering Scandal”

The Ohaneze Stakeholders Assembly (OSA) has written an open letter to the Director-General of the Department of State Security Services (DSS), Mr. Adeola Oluwatosen Ajayi, calling on him to investigate the Nigerian Navy’s alleged involvement in crude oil theft and economic sabotage.

The OSA expressed concerns over the Nigerian Navy’s failure to discharge its constitutional obligations, which has led to the engagement of private security companies to protect the nation’s oil assets.

They specifically mentioned Tantita Security Services Limited, which has been doing a good job but has been frustrated by the Navy.

“The Navy has been frustrating these security companies from doing their work as it does not see them as partners in nation-building. The Navy does all in its powers to destabilize their operations, and has become a behemoth on the path to progress. This is unpatriotic and an act of treason. It requires the immediate intervention of DSS to break the conundrum”, they wrote.

The OSA requested the DSS to investigate the recent allegations of oil theft and economic sabotage against the Nigerian Navy, particularly the forced release of MT Lady Matilda, a vessel impounded by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited for crude oil theft, expressing dismay that it was ridiculous to hear that a Navy established and funded with taxpayers money could resort to criminality against the sovereign.

“In this regard, we urge you to institute investigations into a recent allegations of oil theft and economic sabotage against the Nigerian Navy. Men of the Navy were said to have recently forced the release of one, MT LADY MATILDA, an unregistered vessel involved in crude oil theft, around the Bonny waterways of Rivers State, that was impounded by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL)”.

The group based in Enugu revealed that the Naval personnel were reported to have fired shots at the operatives of Tantita and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps on board the impounded vessel loaded with stolen crude, adding that some operatives of Tantita and NSCDC were reportedly injured in the bloody encounter and this paved the way for the escape of the vessel, with its stolen content.

They requested the DSS boss to identify the top echelons who gave orders for the release of the bunkering vessel, the MT LADY MATILDA and those who carried out the operation.

In the open letter signed by Ikechukwu Nwolisa, President, (OSA) and Okonkwo Chimdi, Secretary, (OSA), the group said that the Navy’s culpability kept resurfacing in the press, all for the criminal activities of its men, saying Nigerians want all allegations unravelled without delay.

The group commended the DSS boss for his time honoured efforts in combating all forms of insecurity and criminality in Nigeria, adding that his leadership has been instrumental in addressing threatening challenges that have bedevilled the nation, as the current Director General of the Agency.

According to them, they are compelled to bring to his attention the pressing national issue of illegal oil bunkering involving state actors, saying his quick intervention is sought to unravel the Gordian knot, pointing out that the nation’s economy has been negatively impacted by the crude oil theft.

They lamented that Oil production oscillates back and forth like a worn out pendulum and that it seems impossible to reach the 2.2 million barrels per day OPEC allocation to Nigeria and said that; “This brazen act of sabotage of the national interest has far-reaching implications for the economy”.

Below Is The Full Open Letter By The Ohaneze Stakeholders Assembly (OSA) To The Director-General of the Department of State Security Services (DSS), Mr. Adeola Oluwatosen Ajayi :

OPEN LETTER TO MR. ADEOLA OLUWATOSIN AJAYI DIRECTOR-GENERAL, DEPARTMENT OF STATE SECURITY SERVICES (DSS) TO INVESTIGATE THE NIGERIAN NAVY OVER ACCUSATIONS OF AIDING CRUDE THEFT AND RECENT FORCED RELEASE OF MT LADY MATILDA, IMPOUNDED BY TANTITA SECURITY SERVICES NIGERIA LIMITED (TSSNL) FOR CRUDE OIL THEFT

We hope this open petition meets you well. We write on behalf of OHANEZE STAKEHOLDERS ASSEMBLY (OSA), based at Enugu, South East, Nigeria.

Our people say, an ailment that is not promptly attended could consume the sick. The issue of oil theft in the Niger Delta Region echoes across the nation daily and escalates without let.

And the mention of the Nigerian Navy as facilitator and intermediary in the illegal bunkering trade is embarrassing to even contemplate.

Only a jinxed and delinquent son would open the family house for intruders to rape family members, a development which must be a sad scenario to conceive, an aberration.

It is ridiculous to hear that a navy established and funded with taxpayers money could resort to criminality against the sovereign.

Hence, we ask to know through your office if it is the men of the Nigerian Navy who are out to crumble the nation’s economy, or some unidentified persons in disguise as personnel of the service?

Nigerians are confused and want answers from your office.

The Navy’s culpability kept resurfacing in the press, all for the criminal activities of its men. Nigerians want all allegations unravelled without delay.

But firstly, we want to commend your time honoured efforts in combating all forms of insecurity and criminality in Nigeria. Your leadership has been instrumental in addressing threatening challenges that have bedevilled the nation, as the current Director General of the Agency.

As expressed above, we are compelled to bring to your attention the pressing national issue of illegal oil bunkering involving state actors. Your quick intervention is sought to unravel the Gordian knot.

That indeed the Nigerian Navy is involved in crude oil theft, an economic crime, akin to sabotage and treason.

Yet not one agency of government seems bold enough to investigate and validate the accusation.

On its part, the Navy merely puts up a once in a while feeble defence, often watery and unsatisfactory.

The nation’s economy has been negatively impacted by the crude oil theft.

Oil production oscillates back and forth like a worn out pendulum. It seems impossible to reach the 2.2 million barrels per day OPEC allocation to Nigeria. This brazen act of sabotage of the national interest has far-reaching implications for the economy.

Not to be forgotten in recent times, is the failure of the Nigerian Navy to discharge its constitutional obligations – a lapse that prompted the Federal Government, to engage private security companies, to provide the required surveillance and protection for the nation’s oil assets.

And they appear to be doing quite well, especially: Tantita Security Services Limited. It has been on the news with different reports on how they carry out their duties and had pointed accusing fingers at the navy of aiding crude oil theft.

The Navy has been frustrating these security companies from doing their work as it does not see them as partners in nation-building. The Navy does all in its powers to destabilize their operation, and has become a behemoth on the path to progress.

This is unpatriotic and an act of treason.

It requires the immediate intervention of DSS to break the conundrum.

Hence, this open petition is brought to your attention.

In this regard, we urge you to institute investigations into a recent allegations of oil theft and economic sabotage against the Nigerian Navy. Men of the Navy were said to have recently forced the release of one, MT LADY MATILDA, an unregistered vessel involved in crude oil theft, around the Bonny waterways of Rivers State, that was impounded by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL).

The Naval personnel were reported to have fired shots at the operatives of Tantita and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps on board the impounded vessel loaded with stolen crude. Some operatives of Tantita and NSCDC were reportedly injured in the bloody encounter. This paved the way for the escape of the vessel, with its stolen content.

If the accusation is true, then the nation is in big trouble, an indicator that the rot in the system is beyond comprehension.

We know you have the mettle to thoroughly investigate and unravel the mystery of the newly recorded crude theft in Rivers State. And when you do, the culprits should be brought to justice.

There is a compelling need to overhaul the Navy and sanction officers and men who are regularly involved in such charades.

However, emphasis should be placed on the recent incidence of the MT LADY MATILDA.

The DSS has the capacity and technical know-how to investigate and purge the Navy of bad eggs. And there should be no sacred cows.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, appears impotent and inept to purge his officers and men caught in acts of criminality.

The nation cannot afford to depend on his tepid approach to the problem any longer.

We request that you identify the top echelons who gave orders for the release of the bunkering vessel, the MT LADY MATILDA and those who carried out the operation.

The officers should not be availed anonymity when found, but exposed and prosecuted for economic crimes and treasonable felony.

They presently bask in offices and close doors in Abuja and Lagos, from where they give directive to their partners and syndicates on the high sea.

Their activities can not be accepted as normal. The limit has been crossed.

With bated breath, the nation watching.

Mr. President will be pleased with the success of your operation.

Through thoroughness, we expect you to burst the syndicates behind the plundering of our commonwealth.

The good Lord guides you in the onerous task ahead.

Yours sincerely,

Ikechukwu Nwolisa
President, (OSA).

Okonkwo Chimdi
Secretary, (OSA).