Ijaw youths: Oil cabal blackmailing Mele Kyari, Tompolo over campaign against theft

Frank Ebikabo, the president of the Ijaw Youths Network (IYN), says a cabal in the oil industry is orchestrating international blackmail against Mele Kyari, the group chief executive officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited.

In a statement on Sunday, Ebikabo said there is a “well-funded blackmail campaign” led by a “venomous cabal of oil thieves” against Kyari, Government Ekpemupolo, chairman of Tantita Security Services, and Dennis Otuaro, chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).

Ebikabo said those behind the blackmail are uncomfortable with the progress in combating oil theft.

Reacting to a video showing a “sponsored protest” outside the United Nation’s (UN) headquarters in New York, United States, Ebikabo described the group behind the protest as “rogue” and accused them of making outright false criminal allegations against Kyari, Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, and Otuaro.

He called on Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser (NSA), and other officials responsible for national security to investigate those behind the blackmail and bring them to justice for the sake of national security.

“The show of shame in front of the UN headquarters is a most reprehensible attack on the country image, the President, national security and our economy,” the statement reads.

“The unpatriotic characters are conniving with enemies of Nigeria in their criminal bid to bring back the dark days of oil theft and its impact on the nation’s economy.

“We call on the President, to be firm in sustaining what is good for Nigeria.”

He asked President Bola Tinubu to remain committed to reversing the impact of oil theft, noting that Tompolo and Tantita have proven its prevention is possible, as shown by increased daily oil production.

Ebikabo criticised the cabal for resisting efforts to end their illicit trade and commended Tinubu’s administration for achieving a daily crude oil production of 1.8 million barrels through anti-oil theft measures.

The IYN president alleged that the smear campaign against Tompolo, Kyari, and Otuaro was being carried out by individuals who had failed in their attempts to become administrators of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

He also called for solidarity from other organisations to combat oil theft and support the leadership of Tantita Security Services, the NNPC, and the PAP.

Ebikabo asked Kyari and Otuaro to stay committed to their responsibilities, noting that the focus of the oil thieves’ attacks on them is proof that their actions are disrupting criminal operations.