Niger Delta Oil Theft Orchestrated by Outsiders, Claims Senator Dickson

• Senator Seriake Dickson identified oil theft masterminds as influential individuals in cities like Lagos and Abuja, not Ijaw youths
• He emphasized that Ijaw people lack the technical know-how for sophisticated oil theft, urging Nigeria to track stolen crude globally

Senator Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa West District, has identified the masterminds behind oil theft in the Niger Delta as influential individuals living outside the region. These “big players” reside in cities like Lagos and Abuja.

Speaking at Oporoza, the headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West LGA of Delta State, Dickson made these allegations during a visit to the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Oboro-Gbaraun II. He emphasized that Ijaw youths often blamed for oil theft, lack the expertise to tamper with pipelines.

“The real culprits behind crude oil theft are based in Lagos, Abuja, and even abroad,” Dickson asserted. He pointed out that the Ijaw people live in the creeks, relying on waterways and farmlands for their livelihood, while outsiders pollute their land through illegal activities.

“We lack the means and technical know-how for high-level oil theft operations. Those capable of infiltrating national security and petroleum systems, hiring tankers, and managing shuttle vessels are not Ijaws,” he said.

Dickson, also a former governor of Bayelsa State, highlighted that such sophisticated operations require significant resources, coordination, funding, and international networking. He urged Nigeria to strengthen its efforts to track stolen crude oil globally.

“Those who underreport production and fail to monitor and record oil output for decades should be held accountable, not the Ijaw youths who lack the capacity and technical expertise,” he stressed.

The senator praised the traditional ruler for maintaining peace in the Niger Delta and acknowledged the efforts of Dr. Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, founder of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL). He commended Tompolo’s contributions to enhancing the nation’s oil revenue and restoring the region’s ecosystem.