Saturday 11 March 2017

Niger Delta ‘oil thieves’ said they want the government to give them recognition and legalise their crude oil refining activities

Niger Delta oil thieves

At last after several years of attacks and counter attacks between Niger Delta ‘oil thieves’ the boys have come out to state clearly what they want.

During a press interview with Sky News, the boys narrated how they are desperately fight to be recognised as legitimate and bring a lasting solution to the grave environmental pollution their activities are causing the volatile region.

According to Sky News, one of the Niger Delta kingpin operating in the creeks identified as Emo, stated how about 2,000 people of the region are being employed by him: "There are no jobs. We have nothing to do. You understand?

"That is why we are seeking help. We are begging for the government to assist us. You understand? We know what we're doing is wrong but we have no option."

During the press coverage with Sky, Emo admitted to the reporters that, it is not he was not aware of the effect their activities have on oil prices globally and locally, however, him and his workers feel the only alternative to survive is to steal oil.

"We are desperate," he said. "We have no jobs and no future."

Emo travels to different places with heavily armed guards to protect him from his enemies and other oil thieves.

Also the journalists were taken to one of Emo’s camps in Rivers State via speedboat, which is about 19 miles from Port Harcourt.

This area is lawless and kidnapping is rife.

Though Sky News crew went with their own security guards, Emo still went on to assure them all of his own personal guards who are hidden all over the mangrove swamps as they watch them arrive.

"They know me. They will not attack us," he said.

The only Nigerian navy boat, which is patrolling the waterways long before they reach Emo's illegal refinery, stopped them and demanded them to hand over all their fuel to them.

Despite a well-vaunted military campaign to put a stop to the illegal activities here, corruption is apparent and part of the problem.

“As we approach the illegal refineries, we see a plume of smoke indicating others are burning the crude.”

“Many of the thieves have stopped daytime burning to avoid being attacked by the Nigerian military.”

However, the government-authorised crackdown does not stop the stealing. It only sets them back for a short time.

"We have been attacked," Emo said. "It causes a lot of oil spillage and then we just start up again."

His audacity is quite astounding, so much that, he was asked by a member of the crew repeatedly about him being so outspoken about his illegal work and he replies: "I don't care. What can they do to me?

"I want to become legal. I want the government to say we can be legal and do this legally."


The damage to the area is extensive with oil everywhere, coating the mangrove swamps, all over the water and washing much further down the Delta polluting water supplies for thousands of others downstream.

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