Former Bayelsa State Governor Diepreye Alamieyesiegha has accused former President Olusegun Obasanjo of shielding oil thieves during his administration.
Alamieyesiegha made the allegation yesterday at an interaction session between the National Conference Committee on Public Finance and Revenue and officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
The former governor, who said he was part of those who engineered the arrest of some oil thieves in Bayelsa State, regretted what he called the high level conspiracy, whichmade it impossible to stop the crime.
He said: “I had an experience. Tankers were loaded in Bayelsa. I got the information and laid ambush for them and arrested them. About 14 big tankers and they were handed over to the police.
“They were charged to court and the judge ordered that the product should be tested. NNPC was invited, they came, took the sample and after a week the result came out as agro chemical and they were all released.
“I went to President Obasanjo; I accused him of being the chief bunkerer.
“It became so hot that I was persuaded to follow him to his office. He held my hand and we entered. So there is actually enough intelligence that is open to the Presidency.
“Obasanjo started mentioning names. I said, ‘oh, you are the chief bunkerer; I confirm, you know them. Don’t call me again’”
The former governor said conspiracy in high places resulted in kidnappings in the Niger Delta.
“In fact, expatriates are more involved in the crime than Nigerians. Some of them even offer themselves to be kidnapped so that when there is compensation they can share it.
“They are also involved in kidnapping. They allow themselves to be kidnapped. Oil companies are invited, their home countries will shout and management of oil companies will pay ransom.
“When the ransom is paid, they are released and that money is shared among them. So, it is a high level conspiracy going on,” Alamieyesiegha said.
Retired naval officers were not absolved of crime. Alamieyesiegha said local boys who were regularly arrested for oil theft were mere escorts with no international connections to sell stolen crude oil.
His words: “The so-called militants are only employed as escorts. If there is no buyer we will not find a seller. The post-retirement job of a senior naval officer is bunkering.
“None of those boys you see in the Niger Delta has the necessary connections to bring ships to our economic zone to lift. Those who are making the connections are also part of us.
“In fact almost 50 per cent of what we produce in this country is being siphoned outside to augment the international market. And where is it going? It is going to those countries and they know the type of oil that is coming out from Nigeria.
“It is different from others. The sulphur content here is very low and they know this but everybody is gaining from it. Let the Federal Government send warning letter to all the embassies that are in this country and give them three months.”
Alamieyesiegha went on: “After three months if we see any ship that is not authorised in our economic zone, especially in the Niger Delta, it will be destroyed.
“Involve the navy, buy few assault helicopters, missiles and after the three months any ship you see, destroy; you will see that no country will allow its ship to enter and so there will be no buyer,” he added. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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is that why u decided to loot, instead of doing the right thing. Omo make we hear word.
ReplyDeletegood words but gej is your boy. advise him.
ReplyDeleteYou of all people still open "CORRUPT MOUTH" to talk in Nigeria against Obasanjo? Well, it is not your fault every Nigerian know that you are not the one talking but GEJ. Just travel to Cotonou there and let 'OYINBO' catch you, you go here wen!
ReplyDeleteWhat is this man saying? Someone that has president at his back doesn't need tanker to do "bunkering",oga lets hear word, did Ahmed or arisekola son even has "depot" before collecting subsidy largesse?
ReplyDeletethis fool think he can deceive us....he has been given the opportunity to clear his name and the fool is busy blaming OBJ. what of the militancy that you and Peter Odili started and funded? it is pmnly in Nigeria that a common thief will be talking! what a shame!!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt is only a thief that knows how best to catch another. We know all this.
ReplyDeleteShut up jailbird. You looted your state blind. You and Obj are birds of the same feather. Jonathan learnt from you.
ReplyDeleteImagine this idiot talking out of his senseless and traumatic mind that President Obasanjo used tankers to load product. I believe at that level as president you have capacity to use vessel as president, so Alamasigha is just a cheap liar and he should be sent back to jail... Fools!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou see what happens when crooks are pardoned? The man has the effrontery to speak in public about crooks. These people take us for fools, but will be swept away when the impending revolution happens. We think the 'Arab spring' is not possible in Naija, but they deceive themselves.
ReplyDeleteIf Nigeria were to be a sane country, shouldn't this stupid fool called Alams be in life jail?
ReplyDeleteOboy hear kettle calling pot black. Indeed wonders dey say wll neva end in naija
ReplyDeleteListen to Alamieyesiegha. He is talking of experience. If you realy want to rescue the country, try his advice.
ReplyDeleteThe only problem envisaged is whether the people that can not stop Nigerian looters from wasting N10b for private jets have the needed loyalty and patriotism facing international bodies knowing fully they hide parts of loots in some of these countries.
All u people making comments are blind, should we continue in sin. what stops us from heeding is advice when this will make our economy grow. What do we really want, to continue the way we are or change. we are so blinded with hate that when good advice comes from a bad man we leave it simply becos his bad.
ReplyDeleteLesson today, lets not judge the adviser but heed the comments of his advice.
God bless you my brother.
DeleteGood talk bro, but alarms na bad guy.
ReplyDeleteVery unfortunate, when we have a bunch of naturally corrupt elements in power, we can expect rubbish like this. No matter what who is a thief, jail breaker, rogue and etc called Alameshia to cough in this country.
ReplyDeleteGod talk I think we should try his strategy .He may be a thief before and knows what he is talking.why not try it .all we want now is solution
ReplyDeleteLook at bastard that suppose to rot in jail,still talking.
ReplyDelete