The Nigerian Navy has responded to allegations leveled against jt by ex-Niger Delta militant leader, Asari Dokubo.

Asari Dokubo, an influential Niger Delta leader, accused the Nigerian military of being responsible for a large chunk of stolen crude oil in Nigeria, especially in the oil producing region, as reported by i-News Nigeria.

Dokubo made the accusation following a private meeting with President Bola Tinubu in his office on Friday.

Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, director of naval information, said the Nigerian military, and the navy in particular, have taken the bull by the horns in the fight against oil theft in the Niger Delta region.

Dokubo, according to Ayo-Vaughan, is only seeking attention and favor from the new government.

He challenged the ex-militant to name the cabals in the military who are behind the oil theft as claimed by Asari Dokubo.

He noted that the chief of naval staff will not tolerate such unsubstantiated claims.

“You remember the case of MT HEROIC IDUN that was made to pay fines to the Nigerian government after they were arrested and brought back from Guinea Bissau, Malabo Island and made to face court orders,” he said.

“It demonstrated the will of the navy to go as far as even beyond our waters to arrest a ship that attempted to load without license, without due approval in April last year.

“I was there physically on board one of our ships at FOT in Onne when the navy launched Operation Dakatarda Barawo, which means stop the thief in Hausa language.

“Nigerian Navy has been fighting crude oil theft, taking the fight to the creeks and as I speak to you, our men are battling in the creeks.”

He added: “He alleges that there is a cabal of military people that are involved in crude oil theft, let him bring the names,” he said.

“Nobody is afraid of getting the names of those involved in crude oil theft.

“You cannot make such spurious allegations and think that we will just sweep it down the carpet.

“So for anybody to say that there is a cabal of military officers, the only simple thing to do is bring the evidence, bring the names.”