Oil theft: Whistleblower raises alarm over threat to life

A whistleblower, Shittu Oluwabukola Anuoluwapo, has raised the alarm over an alleged threat to life from those she described as “powerful people involved in oil theft in the Niger Delta region.”

Shittu, a correspondent, explained in a telephone conversation with Tribune Online that she left her base for Delta State to relieve a staff member who was on call.

She added that her life was in danger following the activities of troops of the Nigerian Navy Ship which busted two illegal refinery sites in the coastal communities of the state.

“They suspected me to be responsible for the tip-off that led to the military’s operation. I don’t know how, but my life has been in danger since then,” Shittu said.

Continuing, the 42-year-old recounted how she narrowly escaped attacks on two occasions in July from the touts on her trail, adding that she has since relocated and is currently on the run for her dear life.

“I learnt they still know my current whereabouts because I was also attacked here lately. That’s why I decided to speak out.

Meanwhile, the Joint Taskforce of the Nigerian Navy Ship, codenamed ‘Operation Delta Safe,’ had earlier uncovered two illegal refinery sites in the coastal communities of Ajasolor and Ogbukoko in the Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.

While speaking to journalists at the site, the Commander, NNS Delta, Commodore Abba Muhsin said, “Based on credible intelligence, the NNS Delta gunboat team discovered illegal refiniàng sites in Warri South Local Government Area.”

He assured the Navy’s commitment to sustain the tempo, adding that “this is one of the series of actions in keeping DeltaSafe.”

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