A non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Centre for Civic Public Awareness (CCPA), yesterday, hailed the support of Nigerians in the fight against crude oil theft, pledging to continue to expose individuals profiting from the menace in the Niger Delta to boost the nation’s oil production.

The group said, as stakeholders in the Niger Delta, it was concerned about the activities of illegal oil bunkering, adding that it has endangered lives, resulting in untimely deaths and hindered national aspirations for increased crude oil production.

This was contained in a statement jointly issued by the Coordinator and Publicity Secretary of the Centre, Dr. Theophilus Arebamen Okojie and Edosomwan Samuel Iroghama, respectively.

The group cautioned against innuendos targeted at Government Ekpemupolo Tompolo, Dr Dennis Otuaro and their associates over their unwavering stance against oil theft and the protection of national assets.

It said: “Their courage in executing the oil pipeline contract deserves recognition and not condemnation.”

The centre expressed dismay that some “economic saboteurs” at home and their comrades abroad, who allegedly left Nigeria because Tompolo and his associates curtailed their illegal access to crude oil, have resorted to defaming them.

The group said: “The Police, Department of State Services (DSS) and others must act swiftly, starting with the arrest of Jude Gbaboyor, who spreads unverifiable, defaming and misleading information on social media.

“These are acts of cyberbullying, injurious and targeted against Government Ekpemupolo, Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro and their associates.”