The Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom of Bayelsa State, King Bubraye Dakolo has called for the arrest and prosecution of high profile oil thieves to put an end to the menace in the country.
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‎He made the call at the Content Tower of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board during reading programme of the book ‘Pirates of the Gulf’ which he authored.
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‎In the 211 page book ‘Pirates of the Gulf’ which is further divided into 41 chapters, King Bubraye Dakolo argued that the real oil thieves were not the petty native operators in the Niger Delta whom he described as victims of a skewed socio-economic system but are the highly placed racketeers both Nigerian and foreign nationals who continue to funnel the black gold through big vessels across the seas in the region.
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‎The Monarch who is the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council said the book aims to correct some of the false narratives and stereotypes about the youths of the Niger Delta by beaming the searchlight on the prominent culprits who are never apprehended or tried, resulting in the continuation of oil theft despite several efforts to combat the crime.
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‎ In an opening remark, the General Manager, Corporate Communications at the NCDMB, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi represented by the Supervisor, Government Relations, Mr. Teddy Bai said the book reading programme which started in August 2024 and now in its 4th edition was aimed at encouraging the development of literature and enhance reading culture.
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‎The Supervisor Media at the NCDMB, Mr. Telola Oyeleke described the event as a captivating session that illuminated the real culprits in the oil theft saga in the country.
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‎The event which was attended by the wife of the King, Queen Timinipre Dakolo and their two children, representatives of the Academia, the Media, Authors and Students from higher institutions in Bayelsa State also featured reading of excerpts from the book by the Author and a live poetry performance by a poet Mr. Ebizimo Arabina from his poem ‘New Call to River Nun’.
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‎ King Bubraye Dakolo, the Agada IV of Ekpetiama Kingdom who is also a well-known environmental and human rights activist in addition to his Academic and Military backgrounds has also authored others books including ‘The Riddle of the Oil Thief’ and ‘Once a Soldier’.
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