The Ijaw Youths Network has raised the alarm over the intensified blackmail of huge international proportion against the Chairman of Tantita Security Services, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited, Mr Mele Kyari, and the Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro.

The IYN, in a statement by its jPresident, Frank Ebikabo, and the Secretary, Federal Ebiaridor, on Sunday called attention to a well-funded blackmail by a cabal of oil thieves who are uncomfortable with gains of the campaign against oil theft being spearheaded by Tantita Security Services and the security outfits.

The IYN leadership was reacting to a video of a sponsored protest in front of the UN headquarters in New York, United States by a rogue group making outright false criminal allegations against Tompolo, Kyari and Otuaro.

The IYN called on the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and others entrusted with the nation’s security to ensure a thorough investigation of those behind the blackmail and bring them to justice in the interest of national security.

Ebikabo and Ebiaridor also urged the President, Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu to be resolute in sustaining the reversal of the evils of oil theft against Nigeria and her citizens.

The IYN stressed that oil thieves and their operatives who are armed with billions of ill-gotten resources are funding this recurrent attack on the Tompolo, Kyari and Otuaro.

The duo insisted that a virulent cabal of oil thieves with a vast network across international boundaries is on the  rampage to orchestrate this campaign which attacks the economy of the country and its leadership.

The IYN stated further that the oil thieves are pulling resources together with their international collaborators to undermine the President, national security and the nation’s economy.

The group said that it is not unexpected that the deadly cabal that almost ruined the economy of the country by stealing billions of petro dollars from the country would not give up their lucrative crime without a fight.

The IYN said that the achievement of the Tinubu Administration which has been able to attain 1.8m barrels of crude oil per day, after serious efforts into the battle against oil thieves should be protected from this influential, deadly gang.

The IYN added further some of those fighting Tompolo, Kyari and Otuaro are those who pressed to be appointed Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme without success.

The Ijaw youths groups said that the antecedents of Otuaro and his capacity to deepen consultations and sustenance of peace in the Niger Delta might be hurting those behind the campaign of calumny in the region.

The group called on all sister organizations in the Niger Delta to support the campaign against oil theft, Tantita Security Service Limited, the NNPCL and the PAP leadership.

The youths said: “We are shocked at the extent to which this deadly cabal of oil thieves can go to orchestrate a campaign of calumny against hardworking people carrying out their lawful responsibilities in the Niger Delta.

“Of course, nobody expects a group of extremely wealthy, connected and influential people who has been involved in oil theft, stealing billions for years to go away without resistance.

“The show of shame in front of the UN headquarters is a most reprehensible attack on the country image, the President, national security and our economy.

“The unpatriotic characters are conniving with enemies of Nigeria in their criminal bid to bring back the dark days of oil theft and its impact on the nation’s economy.

“We call on the President, to be firm in sustaining what is good for Nigeria. Tompolo, and Tantita have shown that it is not impossible to stop the menace of oil theft as shown by the daily production of oil to 1.8 million barrels per day,

“We also urge the Mr Kyari and Dr Otuaro to be firm in carrying out their official responsibilities to this great country. That oil thieves are focusing attacks on the, shows in clear terms that their actions are suffocating their evil activities in the region.”