By David Kabiyesi
As part of it’s on-going efforts to get rid oil thieves, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla has pledged that the Nigeria Navy, under his watch, would deal decisively with personnel found to be involved in oil theft.
Ogalla said this while addressing newsmen at the end of his maiden familiarisation tour of the Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder in Port Harcourt on Friday.
He said the navy was fully focused and had already taken actionable steps to end crude oil theft and other illegalities at the nation’s territorial waters.
He said, “We are aware of allegations of involvement of our officers in crude oil theft – which are quite baseless.
“Whenever we receive such information, we quickly launch an investigation. But so far, our findings have shown that most of the allegations are not true.
“However, if there is an element of truth in the allegations, we hold the alleged personnel responsible as well as apply the law according to the Arm Forces Act,” he said.
Ogalla said that severe consequences await any personnel linked to such illegality, irrespective of how highly placed the officer or rating.
“The punishment ranges from imprisonment and dismissal. We have had cases in the past and appropriate actions were taken.
“However, more than 97 per cent of these allegations are based on social media, and as such, they have no proper background.
“We are in the age of social media where anybody without proof or having full details will just put something up there (in social media platforms).
