Olu of Warri Not Involved in Oil Bunkering – Erewa Refutes Claims Chief Godday Oritsewino Erewa, a respected leader from the Etikan Kingdom in Ondo State and the Oritsuwa of Warri Kingdom, has firmly dismissed allegations accusing the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, of involvement in oil pipeline vandalism and illegal bunkering. He described these claims as baseless, malicious, and a deliberate attempt to tarnish the reputation of the highly revered monarch. As the Chairman of the Psychometric Recruitment and Professional Training Institute, Erewa urged the public to disregard such false narratives, emphasizing that they are rooted in misinformation and driven by hidden agendas. “These accusations lack any factual basis and are mere fabrications intended to discredit a leader committed to peace and sustainable development,” Erewa stated. A Leader Committed to Security and Growth Erewa expressed concerns that these false claims could escalate ethnic tensions and damage the monarch’s reputation. He highlighted that under the leadership of Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Warri Kingdom has witnessed remarkable stability, investment inflow, and enhanced security, including efforts to protect vital oil infrastructure. Rather than being involved in illegal activities, the Olu of Warri has actively collaborated with government agencies and industry stakeholders to curb criminality and safeguard national assets, Erewa emphasized. Monarch’s Achievements in Economic Development Erewa praised the Olu of Warri’s dedication to driving economic prosperity, noting that his initiatives have: These efforts, Erewa added, have positioned Warri Kingdom as a thriving hub for business and economic development. As an expert in security and pipeline protection, Erewa acknowledged the monarch’s strong partnerships with government agencies and oil companies, which have significantly improved security and economic activities in the Niger Delta. Call to Disregard False Accusations Condemning the baseless allegations, Erewa stressed that the Olu of Warri is a champion of progress, not destruction. He urged Nigerians to critically assess misleading claims and instead recognize the monarch’s unwavering dedication to national development. “The Olu’s integrity and visionary leadership continue to drive growth and prosperity in the Warri Kingdom,” Erewa affirmed. Standing in Support of the Olu of Warri Erewa called on the people of Warri and the entire Niger Delta region to stand by their monarch, dismissing these false accusations as mere distractions from his significant contributions. “History will continue to celebrate the impact of Ogiame Atuwatse III, and his legacy of development and peace will remain unshaken,” Erewa concluded. READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Chanel.
Crude oil theft remains a significant issue in Nigeria, with security operatives—who are supposed to prevent the crime—reportedly facilitating and profiting from the illegal trade. Investigations reveal that oil thieves pay levies to build refining camps and receive protection, while armed personnel escort stolen crude shipments under the cover of night. Despite the efforts of security firms like Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), oil theft continues due to deep-rooted corruption within the system. Security Forces Enabling Oil Bunkering Leaked Intelligence and Bribery Former oil bunkerers have exposed how some security personnel, including military officers, facilitate and profit from crude oil theft. These officials not only accept bribes to protect illegal operations but also leak intelligence to oil thieves, warning them of impending raids. According to a former oil bunkerer in Delta State, Fumilayo: “The Navy coordinated our business from the start. We paid them before setting up refining camps and for every boatload of crude we moved. If you don’t settle them, they will destroy your camp.” Some of these illegal camps are reportedly owned by both serving and retired military officers who employ skilled artisans and locals to refine stolen crude. Oil Theft Routes and Security Involvement Edo State: Midnight Escorts for Oil Smugglers In Edo State, armed personnel reportedly escort stolen crude shipments through oil palm plantations to avoid detection. A former insider disclosed: “They disguised petroleum product movements as regular plantation transport. This ensured safe passage after negotiations with security officers.” The Gelegele–Ofunama axis is a well-known smuggling route where oil thieves transport diesel in drums, jerricans, and specially designed containers between 1 AM and 3 AM. Local vigilante groups are also sometimes compromised to allow free passage. Akwa Ibom: Settling Security Commanders An ex-agitator in Akwa Ibom revealed two primary methods of crude oil theft: He explained: “To operate freely, you must settle security commanders. These commanders control access to key locations, and without their approval, your activities are at risk.” Bunkerers often pay over ₦100,000 in tolls at various security checkpoints along river routes. Insider Leaks and Protection for Oil Thieves Nimi Brador, a former supervisor of an illegal refining camp in Rivers and Bayelsa, stated that local community informants and security operatives acted as spies for oil thieves. “Before the military arrived, we would be warned by insiders. Some security officials also owned illegal refining camps.” TSSNL operatives investigating these cases confirm that high-ranking security officials frequently obstruct crackdowns. Security Agencies’ Crackdown on Oil Theft Despite these deep-rooted networks, the Nigerian military and security agencies have intensified efforts to dismantle illegal refining sites. In recent operations across Edo, Delta, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom, they:✅ Dismantled 13 illegal bunkering hubs✅ Seized 300,000 liters of stolen crude✅ Arrested 15 oil thieves✅ Destroyed over 150 makeshift refining ovens Major Arrests and Recoveries ? Edo State: 252,000 liters of stolen crude oil recovered in Ugo Community.? Delta State: A 30,000-liter tanker siphoning crude intercepted.? Rivers State: Multiple refining sites dismantled along the Imo River.? Akwa Ibom: Over 30 polythene bags of illegally refined diesel seized. The fight against oil theft is ongoing, but the involvement of security operatives in the crime raises concerns about the effectiveness of these crackdowns. The Road Ahead: Curbing Oil Theft in Nigeria Stakeholders believe that organizations like TSSNL have significantly reduced oil theft. However, more needs to be done to eliminate corruption within security agencies. ✅ Stricter monitoring of security personnel✅ Deployment of independent security agencies for oil facility protection✅ Stronger legal action against compromised officials The next report will explore how the Federal Government can combat oil theft through collaborative efforts with Niger Delta leaders and security agencies. READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Chanel.
