President Tinubu orders crackdown on Niger Delta oil Thieves
By Ayshatu S. Rabo
In a decisive move to protect Nigeria’s economic lifeline, President Bola Tinubu has directed security and intelligence chiefs to launch an aggressive campaign against crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.
Following a high-stakes, four-hour meeting at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, revealed the president’s directives.
The meeting, led by Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, included top officials from various security and intelligence agencies.
Kyari emphasised the urgent need to curb oil theft and pipeline vandalism, which are critical to restoring economic stability.
“Oil theft and pipeline vandalism have become national issues,” he stated. “The president has directed the CDS to contain this crisis promptly to restore national production levels.”
“The urgency of the crackdown was underscored by recent revelations from the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI).
The Executive Secretary, Ogbonnaya Orji, reported that Nigeria lost $1.84 billion worth of petroleum products over nine years due to refinery theft.
However, General Musa vowed to eliminate all forms of vandalism and criminal activities in the South-South region.
He highlighted the prolonged nature of these issues and assured Nigerians of imminent change.
“The President has mandated us to secure the entire South-South and enable NNPC and others to improve production,” he declared.
The success of the operation hinges on community trust and cooperation. “Trust has been a problem,” Musa acknowledged.
“But they can trust us; they can trust the government. Everyone will be carried along.”
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, echoed this sentiment, calling for unified efforts.
“We need the cooperation of all agencies and citizens. I assure you, results will follow,” he promised.
Our correspondent reported that the coordinated effort involves multiple agencies, including the Nigerian Customs Service, NIMASA, the Nigerian Ports Authority, the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and the Department of State Services (DSS). General Musa assured that the results of these harmonised operations would be evident within the next two to three months.
This decisive action sends a clear message: Nigeria is committed to safeguarding its resources and economic stability. As the country rallies its security forces and communities, the nation looks forward to a future free from the scourge of oil theft and vandalism.
President Tinubu orders crackdown on Niger Delta oil Thieves