Prominent Niger Delta leader and former agitator, Mujahid Asari Dokubo, has made startling allegations regarding the prevalent cases of oil theft in the oil-rich region. In a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja, Dokubo boldly asserted that the Nigerian Army and Navy are at the heart of these criminal activities.Dokubo addressed State House correspondents following the closed-door meeting, emphasizing that a staggering 99 percent of oil theft can be attributed to the military, particularly the Army and the Navy. Shedding light on the extent of the issue, he cited data from the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, which revealed that Nigeria suffered a loss of 619.7 million barrels of crude oil worth an estimated N16.25tn between 2009 and 2020 due to theft.Despite pointing fingers at the military, Dokubo expressed his commitment to assisting the Federal Government in eradicating oil theft completely. He expressed confidence in the Tinubu-led administration’s ability to identify and apprehend those responsible for this rampant crime.During the meeting, oil theft and security emerged as the primary topics of discussion between Dokubo and the President. Dokubo underscored his determination to work alongside the Nigerian Petroleum Pipeline Company Limited (NPPCL) and the International Oil Companies (IOCs) to bring the theft of tapped oil to a halt in the Niger Delta.In addition to addressing oil theft, Dokubo expressed his perspective on the issue of security. He vehemently rejected the notion that the military lacked the necessary equipment to effectively combat terrorism, banditry, and militancy, dismissing it as a form of blackmail. According to him, such claims by the military were baseless, and they possess ample resources to tackle these challenges head-on.Regarding the recent release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Dokubo voiced his opposition, asserting that it would only exacerbate tensions in the South-East region and promote impunity. He cited Kanu’s alleged role in instigating violence during the EndSARS protests, emphasizing that he should face legal consequences for his actions.Friday’s meeting between Dokubo and President Tinubu forms part of the President’s ongoing consultations with influential figures from the Niger Delta region. In previous weeks, Tinubu held discussions with other key personalities from the area, including Timi Alaibe, the former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, and Dr Dakuku Peterside, the former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency.To address the pressing issue of oil theft, the President has directed the military and other security agencies to take decisive action. This directive underscores the government’s commitment to tackling this menace that has been plaguing the nation for years.