Youths from Nsukka Zone Of Enugu State have declared war on perceived enemies of their kinsman Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla.
A statement from the youths leader Emeka Odo (aka Darkness) warned that the youths will fight back against those plotting to pull down the Naval boss.
The Nsukka Youth Association said “it’s ‘fire-for-fire’ against all forces mobilizing to pull down a good man who has distinguished himself in service.
“There is limit to every madness and we the youths of Nsukka cannot and will not condone any act of harassment, intimidation or blackmail against a man well respected for his integrity.
Darkness condemned the unfounded allegations and media campaign against the Naval Chief and warned those behind it to stay clear or have the youths of Nsukka to contend with.
“The Naval Chief cannot be intimidated to stop the good work he is doing. Oil bunkering is a cankerworm that must be eliminated.”
“We know who them; they are the ‘oil thieves’ and their sponsors. They have met a brick wall in Ogalla who have refused to be compromised.
“We are not surprised that this is coming at a time the fight against Oil theft was succeeding; in fact it was expected. But, they have picked on the wrong person and we are prepared for tuem.
The Naval has dismissed all the sponsored allegations against Ogalla, just as Nigerians have continued to express confidence in the Chief of Naval Staff.
In the rebuttal signed by Rear Admiral Adetokun Ayo-Vaughan, director of information, the Nigerian Navy (NN) said the allegations were unfounded and baseless, adding that those feeling the heat of the several operations by the navy were behind the blackmail against Ogalla.
The youths said it’s laughable for his detractors to accuse Ogalla of involvement in facilitating unauthorised bunkering of crude oil and engaging in multimillion-naira contract-splitting fraud.
The NN’s statement, however, clarified that the vessels mentioned in the report were apprehended for involvement in crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering, and they have not been released as alleged.
The statement signed by Ayo-Vaughan also averred that it was not within the power of Ogalla to award oil-bunkering contracts, adding that only the NNPCL had such power.
