Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, has called for a thorough overhaul of the Naval high command.

It said the call became necessary in view of endless allegations of oil theft in the Niger Delta region despite the huge presence of naval officials.

In a statement made available to journalists on Monday by Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, he said there are disturbing allegations of high calibre oil theft still ongoing in the Niger Delta region.

According to Okwu, only a few days ago, there were allegations “that on 3rd of May, 2024, MT MONTAGU went alongside MT PRESTIGIUOS and discharged 104,4033 BBL of crude. The crude was loaded from MT BYRANSTON Stationed at NEWCROSS Facility SAN BARTH OML 24 Marginal oil field.

“MT MONTAGU only discharged into MT PRESTIGIUOS and did not take away any product from her.

“The ship was arrested by private security and it was released by the naval officials who said they were acting on orders from above, after a series of agitation by stakeholders.

“Even when there was a counter order that the ship be re-arrested, the navy officials allowed another Tank vessel to either evacuate the exhibit or dilute it, in the name of taking samples, which ideally should be taken in a small bottle for lab test. What was the vessel doing there as shown in one of the pictures.”

Okwu, who said it appeared the naval officials were sabotaging the Federal Government’s efforts to ramp up oil production, said the avowed promise by President Tinubu rid the country of corruption must be demonstrated through the immediate overhaul of the naval high command.

While re-calling the group’s support to President Tinubu during the 2023 general elections, he said Nigerians were going through excruciating pains whereas a few individuals were living in opulence.

He said, “we are alarmed, like many other Nigerians, over what is going on in the Niger Delta region.

“We stand for zero tolerance for corruption and support for the growth of the economy and total support for the Tinubu-led Federal Government’s anti-corruption fight.”

“Based on the allegations we have sighted as narrated, we call for the sack of the Naval hierarchy, starting from the Chief of Naval Staff under whose watch the officials have been unable to tame oil thieves.

“However, we urge Mr President to appoint another Igbo man as his replacement.

“This is the only way to restore sanity to the oil production chain,” Okwu added.