Former Navy Officer Decries Decay in Navy and Escalating Oil Theft in Nigeria
Former naval officer Commodore Promise Zebulon Dappa (rtd) has expressed deep concern over the two-decade-long struggle against oil theft in Nigeria. He believes that the alleged involvement of the Navy in oil theft and other maritime crimes must be addressed for any meaningful progress in winning the battle against these illegal activities.
Dappa, who served as the Maritime Guard Commander at the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in Lagos, highlighted the challenges arising from the nation’s weak institutions and the failure to penalize those involved in corrupt practices.
He noted that the lack of punishment for wrongdoers serves as a significant setback and demoralizes officers who are committed to upholding ethical standards.
The former naval officer argued that honest officers determined to combat the illegal movement of petroleum products often face obstacles, such as being prevented from taking up positions in strategic areas where such illicit activities occur.
Instead, he claimed, top officers tend to allocate major bases, like NNS BEECROFT in Apapa, NNS Pathfinder in Port Harcourt, and bases in Delta, to their proteges, potentially for personal gains.
Dappa went on to assert that his uncompromising stance against oil theft and maritime crimes had negative repercussions on his career. He claimed that he was denied promotion to the rank of Rear Admiral, citing the displeasure of a former Chief of Naval Staff as one of the reasons for this decision. Dappa alleged that he was denied privileges and promotions on three occasions, which he believes were not commensurate with his rank and capabilities.
He said: “When all the forces against my insistence to stop oil theft succeeded in removing me from NIMASA, the protege of the former naval boss was appointed to take over from him.
“When in 2016, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigated the operations of NIMASA, two officers that took over from me were indicted of fraudulent practices.”
Commodore Promise Zebulon Dappa (rtd) has alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) obtained a court order for the final forfeiture of properties and substantial amounts of money from naval officers implicated in corrupt practices in November and December of 2018.
He claimed that despite this action, one of the officers involved was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral in the same year. At the same time, he was denied promotion despite his achievements at the Promotion Selection Board and his efforts to combat oil theft during his tenure at NIMASA.
Dappa questioned the motivation behind promoting officers implicated in corruption, emphasizing the financial gains associated with such promotions. He pointed out a troubling tradition where Chiefs of Naval Staff consistently assign their aides and proteges to command bases where oil theft is rampant.
According to Dappa, this pattern raises concerns, as none of these officers has been subjected to investigation or queries despite the ongoing public outcry against oil theft in the country.
He said: “The impunity and callousness of the Chiefs of Naval Staff have vitiated the force and hampered its capacity to function effectively.
I am, therefore, calling on the President, in line with his Renewed Hope Agenda, to step in and sanitize the Navy by ordering an investigation into these fraudulent promotions and abuse of office by past and present Chiefs of Naval Staff. This will help to restore confidence in the system, thereby improving efficiency.”
Commodore Promise Zebulon Dappa (rtd) has urged the President to establish a Navy Service Commission dedicated to handling administrative matters such as promotions, appointments, recruitments, and logistics supply. This proposal allows the Navy to focus solely on its operational responsibilities.
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Dappa also called for a review of cases involving honest officers who were allegedly unjustly denied promotions. He emphasized the importance of restoring the entitlements of these officers.
In response to these allegations, the Public Relations Unit of the Nigerian Navy acknowledged that they had heard the concerns and pledged to respond in due course.
