The Niger Delta Coalition on Friday demanded for the removal and probe of the leader of Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Suleiman Apochi, over what it termed unprecedented increase in oil bunkering, vandalism of pipelines and corruption.
The Coalition, however, commended the General Officer Commanding 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, Major General Musa Yusuf, and the Director of the rivers State Command of the Department of State Services for the good job they have been doing in the region.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, the leader of the Coalition, Tochukwu Ohazuruike, requested that President Muhammadu Buhari, through the Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin, to direct the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, to conduct flyover and air surveillance over those areas where oil bunkering is being carried out and report back the monumental environmental devastation and financial loss to the country.
The coalition revealed that Nigeria is losing an estimated $5 billion annually to oil bunkering as oil thieves have continued to inflict inestimable damage on the Niger Delta environment.
The JTF Commander was alleged to have ensured safe passage for criminals and oil thieves
Suleiman was accused of collecting bribe from big oil thieves in order to look the other way.
The group said GPS coordinates of the exact point of oil theft has been sent to him many times but he refused to act.
Suleiman was also alleged to have boasted that he is untouchable as he is serving the interest of those that appointed him.
The group called on Olonisakin and the Presidency to probe the alleged fraternity between Suleiman and the oil thieves.
The coalition said: “It is on record that Nigeria losses over 300,000 barrels of oil per day to crude oil theft due to the illicit activities of third party interference with pipeline infrastructure.
“Similarly, Nigeria is losing an estimated $5 billion annually to oil bunkering as the oil thieves have continued to inflict inestimable damage on the Niger Delta environment.”