Oil Theft in Arepo, Nigerai: Women in Organized Crime of Pipline Vandalism

Ayodele Austin, Jonathan Oyedeji, Oludayo Tade

University of Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract:

Crude oil remains the major natural resource contributing 9.04% to Nigeria's GDP and a life-wire for the Nigerian ailing economy for decades. However, the product is being sabotaged during its transportation across the states. Vandalism, oil theft and bunkering remain a flourishing criminal activity and women are inherently partaking in the menace. The study critically explored the role played by women in the illegal oil business in Arepo town of Ogun State. The long years of socio-economic hardship and the claimed marginalization of women in most riverine area account for women involvement and partnership with their male counterparts in the illegal act in Arepo town of Ogun state. women were active in vandalism and played the role of 'carriers' and 'sellers', 'available' and in most cases act to complement their husbands, male lovers for a successful vandalization of oil pipelines. The study concluded that value re-orientation and enabling environment for empowerment will foster self worth and reduce the spate of women involvement in oil theft along Arepo area and ultimately in Nigeria.

Keyword:

Bunkering, Nigeria, Oil theft, Security and Civil defence corps, Women, Vendalism,