Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has justified the military’s decision to burn vessels seized for oil theft, citing weak legal processes and slow prosecution of offenders.
General Musa explained that soldiers who risk their lives to arrest suspects are often discouraged when the culprits are released on technical grounds or handed light penalties. According to him, this cycle allows criminals to quickly return to illicit activities with little or no consequence.
He stressed that the current judicial lapses not only embolden oil thieves but also undermine the morale of troops engaged in tackling economic sabotage.
