Oil bunkering: Stop denigrating our military – APC Rep Agbese cautions Asari Dokubo

Chief Philip Agbese, the lawmaker representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, has urged former Niger Delta militant Asari Dokubo to stop undermining the efforts of the Nigerian military.

Dokubo had alleged that the bulk of cases of oil theft recorded in the oil-rich region of the Niger Delta were traceable to troops.

He expressed this view when he paid a visit to President Bola Tinubu at the State House on Friday.

The lawmaker, who admitted to sharing the same views with the Niger Delta leader on numerous issues, said he doesn’t buy into his latest statements.

A statement by Agbese reads: “I appreciate Dokubo, who is my good friend, for his unequivocal stand on a lot of issues, but I think he missed the point on this particular subject.

“Our officers are not in any way complicit, even though much can still be achieved in the area of protecting our national assets in the Niger Delta.

“Dokubo simply wants to be involved, which is in his right. We must, however, not destroy the reputation of others to get what we want.

“The sacrifices of our military officers and men, who make all the sacrifices to keep the country together, should not be taken for granted. If there are lapses, we expect Dokubo, as an elder statesman, to provide relevant information and support to the troops.

“We have gone past the era of militancy. If that is what Dokubo is clamouring about, I’m sorry it is not an option. Our military has shown itself to be equal to the tasks.”