The Ijaw Youths Network (IYN) has strongly rebuked former Minister of Defence, Maj Gen Tajudeen Olarenwaju, for his recent remarks regarding the murder of 16 Nigerian Army personnel in Okuama, Delta State.
Olarenwaju, in response to the killings, had expressed concerns about non-state actors, who identify as militants, being involved in security operations around crude oil pipelines in Nigeria.
Displeased with the former minister’s stance, the IYN argued that his assertion regarding the safety of non-state actors protecting oil installations is both dubious and incorrect.
In a statement issued by its Coordinator, Frank Ebikabo, and Secretary, Federal Ebiaridor, respectively, the group condemned Olarenwaju’s comments as echoing a misguided and false narrative propagated by individuals with vested interests in the oil industry.
“The general’s statement only reechoed the same misguided and false narrative being peddled by frustrated oil thieves and their cohorts who did not get the pipeline contract of the NNPCL,” the statement read.
The IYN urged General Olarenwaju to prioritize efforts in apprehending those responsible for jeopardizing the peace and security of the nation rather than casting aspersions on non-state actors involved in safeguarding oil facilities.
The group emphasized the importance of continuing President Bola Tinubu and the NNPC’s decisive policies against oil theft, which have resulted in increased oil production and garnered nationwide acclaim.
“Even developed countries such as the US and the UK also employ the services of private security consultants to maximize the security of critical assets and facilities,” the statement noted.
Highlighting the accomplishments of Tantita Security Services, the group urged General Olarenwaju to recognize the positive contributions of private security outfits in combating oil theft.
“It is shocking that the general is reducing the cold-blooded murder of soldiers as a fallout of gang violence in the region. This is an attempt to twist the facts of the matter,” the statement continued.
The IYN firmly asserted that there is no correlation between private security outfits and the brutal murder of soldiers on duty, dismissing General Olarenwaju’s advice as unwarranted and beneath his stature.
The statement concluded with a call for concerted efforts to address the underlying issues of oil theft and insecurity in the region, urging all stakeholders to work towards sustainable solutions.
