Bayelsa state governor Douye Diri has expressed sadness over what he described as the allegation of alleged involvement of the military in crude oil theft in the Niger Delta. Governor Diri made this known when he received the Joint Monitoring Team of the Defence Headquarters of oil and Gas at the government house in Yenagoa the state capital.

The visit by the Joint Monitoring Team of the Defence Headquarters is part of the mandate of the Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, in ensuring that crude oil theft is reduced to the barest minimum. Expressing his displeasure over the allegation of military involvement in oil theft, the Bayelsa state governor Douye Diri who assured the team of his support said there will be no end to oil theft if security agencies are involved.

On his part, the chairman of the Joint Monitoring Team Major General Jamil Jimoh said he looks forward to partnering with the Bayelsa state governor in reducing crude oil theft. The collaboration between the Bayelsa state government and the military Will no doubt go a long way, in curbing crude oil theft and all forms of criminality in the Bayelsa territorial waters.