Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has stated that the military resorts to incinerating seized vessels involved in oil theft due to the slow prosecution and ineffective legal processes that permit offenders to resume their activities with minimal repercussions.
General Musa, who appeared as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Thursday, expressed his concern that troops frequently endanger their lives to capture suspects, only for these individuals to be released on technicalities or face insignificant penalties. This situation, he noted, disheartens soldiers and empowers criminals.
The defence chief also referenced cases in the Niger Delta where vessels implicated in oil theft were returned to their operators after nominal fines, leaving the military with no alternative but to destroy these illegal bunkering vessels.
“In the South-South, we apprehend a vessel. The offenders are given trivial fines, and the vessel is returned, which is why we began to burn them. Furthermore, there has been discussion regarding environmental concerns, placing us in a dilemma.
“For us, we initiated the burning of these items once they are discovered and seized, and we began to experience some peace. However, as long as we continue to arrest them and hand them over, and they navigate through the legal system, it becomes problematic; the prosecution process is prolonged,” the defence chief remarked.
He emphasized that the nation’s sluggish and ineffective legal system is hindering military efforts against terrorism, banditry, and organized crime, thus exacerbating insecurity across the country.
“It pertains to the legal system. Occasionally, when cases are presented in court, they are dismissed. We must reassess our legal framework. Establishing special courts to expedite case handling would be beneficial.
“We need to reconsider the penalties for offenses. When individuals believe they can evade consequences, impunity becomes prevalent, which is a critical issue. You risk your life, make an arrest, and then the next day you learn that the suspect has been released. Do you think that soldier is willing to put his life on the line to make arrests again?
