The IPC Justice, a group committed to restructuring Nigeria, investigating corruption in politics and judiciary, and holding government accountable, has fired back at the Nigerian Army, saying that the elites in society are responsible for illegal oil bunkering, and not the masses.
The group made the remarks following a press release by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, dated 26 June 2023.
Brigadier General Nwachukwu, in statement entitled “Anti-oil theft operations: troops raid militants oil thieves camp, capture armoury“, stated that troops of 5 Battalion operating under 16 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, in a raid operation on Sunday 25 June 2023 at Azuzuama Community in Ijaw South Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, had captured an armoury located in a Camp from where suspected unrepentant militants and illegal oil bunkerers carry out their nefarious activities.
During the operation, he noted, the highly motivated troops subdued the suspected militants with superior firepower, compelling them to abandon their camp in disarray.
He added that the well-conducted raid operation led to the recovery of 5 AK 47 Rifles, 2 Rocket Propelled Grenade Bombs, 4 Rocket Grenade Bomb Chargers, seven 7.62mm Special ammunition, 14 AK 47 Rifle Magazines and one pumping machine.
Other items recovered include two 16-inch anchored verve, one mallet hammer, one pipe range spinner and one axe. The illicit camp has been destroyed by the troops.
He, thereby, expressed appreciation to members of the public and urges all to continue to provide timely and credible information in support of the ongoing effort by the Nigerian Army to ensure that oil theft in the South-South region comes to zero level.
See pictures of the operation added by Brigadier General Nwachukwu below:
In a swift reaction, however, IPC Justice, taking tom its Twitter handle, @ipcjustice, countered Onyema that the elites in society are responsible for illegal oil bunkering and are the ones profiting from the illegal activity.
The group noted that the raid by the Army on the militants’ oil thieves camp is a good start, but that it is not enough as the government needs to go after the top individuals who are responsible.
IPC Justice tweeted:
“The individuals who are actually responsible for illegal oil bunkering are the elites in society. They are the ones who are profiting from this illegal activity, and they are the ones who need to be brought to justice.
“The Nigerian Army’s raid on the militants’ oil thieves camp is a good start, but it is not enough. The government needs to go after the top individuals who are responsible for this illegal activity.
“The public is not fooled by the government’s efforts to crack down on oil theft. They know that the real criminals are still out there, and they are not going to be satisfied until they are brought to justice.
“The military needs to take this issue seriously and to do everything in its power to bring the perpetrators of illegal oil bunkering to justice. This is a crime that is costing the country billions of dollars every year, and it is time for it to stop.”
Agreeing with IPC Justice, @Dad1019 posted:
“And funny enough these so-called elites are not unknown to them. They know exactly what is needed to be done but they rather not cos they are direct or indirect beneficiaries.”
Mayor, @MayorCome, added:
“Since you know the elites, please list them out so that the soldiers can pursue them. Learn to encourage good job done. Destructive criticism will keep increasing your frustrations.”
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