Defence boss vows to end oil theft within three months

Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) has pledged to end oil theft within three-month, in a decisive stance against the illicit activities plaguing the nation.

This was as the federal government has ordered the security agents to crackdown on oil theft, in a move aimed at curbing illicit oil activities in the Nigeria’s Niger Delta region.

This directive came amidst escalating concerns over the economic and environmental impacts of oil theft.

Nigeria’s security agencies declared an all-out war on oil theft, in a bid to stamp out the criminal activity that has long plagued the country’s oil sector.

The concerted effort involved the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Nigerian Police Force, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, and other security agencies.

These bodies announced their unified stance against oil theft in the Niger Delta region, a critical area for Nigeria’s crude oil production.

The CDS conveyed the President Bola Tinubu’s directive following a high-level meeting with NNPC leadership and security agency heads.

“The President has given us a mandate to secure the entire South-South, enabling NNPC and others to boost oil production,” Musa stated.

He expressed confidence that tangible results would emerge within three months.

Musa emphasized the longstanding nature of the issues in the South-South and the urgent need to eradicate them.

He assured the public that the region would soon be free of vandalism and criminality, urging local communities to trust the government’s renewed efforts.

“Nigeria relies heavily on crude oil production and we need the communities to understand the importance of this mission. Everyone will be involved”, he noted.

Highlighting the importance of community cooperation, the CDS reiterated that the battle against oil theft isn’t solely the responsibility of security agencies.

“Pipeline vandalism affects everyone directly. We need to work together, and today’s meeting is about harmonizing our efforts based on the President’s directives”, he said.

Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector General of Police, echoed these sentiments, pledging visible progress in the coming days.

“We accept our challenges, but solving them requires collective effort from all agencies and citizens. Expect results soon,” he assured.

Mele Kyari, NNPC’s Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), underscored the significance of the security meeting, driven by the President’s urgent directive to the CDS.

Kyari highlighted the national crisis posed by oil theft and pipeline vandalism, stressing the need for a coordinated response involving the armed forces, police, and other security bodies.

Kyari expressed optimism, noting early signs of progress. “We are already seeing substantial value from our coordinated efforts, and we are confident a solution is in sight.

“This initiative marks a significant step towards restoring Nigeria’s oil production and economic stability, reflecting the government’s commitment to tackling one of the nation’s most pressing challenges”, he mentioned.