Oil theft : Niger Delta Stakeholders slams retired Admiral over self – defence submissions

The Niger Delta Stakeholders Forum ( NDSF), on Sunday took a swipe at Admiral Henry Babalola (rtd), over self defence submissions made on his stewardship as Commanding Officer of NNS Delta, Warri Naval Base, during a television programme …

The forum in a statement signed by its President, Julius Daukoru , alleged that the retired Naval Officer , laboured in vain during the television programme to paint a wrong narrative of what happened under his watch as regards crude oil theft.

They specifically alleged that oil theft was the order of the day in Warri when Admiral Babalola was in charge as Commanding Naval Officer.

The statement reads in part : ” Admiral Babalola’s submission at the Arise Television Morning Show on Friday , was nothing but self defence on what is known by all stakeholders in the Niger Delta as regards crude oil theft.

” He must have forgotten that while he was the Commanding Officer of NNS Delta, Warri Naval Base, the area he superintendent became the point of convergence for crude oil thieves and beehive for illegal crude bunkering.

“On the programme, he pontificated as an uninvolved bystander, while the illegal crude mining thrived, expanded and even grew in leaps and bound in the areas under his command as Commanding Officer of NNS, Delta.

“It is no secret that he provided cover and protection for local and international criminals on the high sea, while they siphoned oil into ocean going vessels. He was infact, the problem until his retirement.

“Admiral Babalola in the same breathe pointed accusing fingers at the operators of Tantita Security Services Limited, as double-faced repented crude oil thieves.

“It was a reckless comment to make. If he was that sure of his facts, why did he not arrest and parade them before the authority for prosecution when he served as
Commanding Officer and FOC?

‘ He should hide his head in shame for making allegations he has no proof nor evidence.

‘The operators of Tantita Security Services Limited are people of integrity and impeccable character, unblemished by crime.

‘Some of them were involved in the Niger Delta uprising of the late 1990s and early 2000s, purely agitating for the development of the region.

‘The late President Musa Yar’Adua saw the need for inclusion and gave them amnesty. It is still in place till date.

“Alluding to that as evidence of wrong doing, is an attempt to pull the wool over the eyes of gullible people. It is a figment of the imagination of the Admiral, which should be ignored”