The Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru Mohammed, has revealed that Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea are in discussions to strengthen defence co-operation, including joint patrols to combat oil theft in the Gulf of Guinea.
Speaking to journalists after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s engagements in Malabo, Badaru confirmed that a joint committee is being constituted to oversee joint patrols, policing, and security on their shared borders and the Gulf of Guinea.
He expressed optimism that the collaboration will yield robust engagement and effective prevention of illegal activities in the region.
“There are discussions on defense agreement, not signed yet, but there is a joint committee for joint patrol, policing and security on our borders and the Gulf of Guinea, and that discussion is on
“When constituted, I’m sure we will have robust engagement or patrols on the sea that will prevent all illegalities happening around the Gulf of Guinea”, he said.
When asked if the agreement would address oil theft, Badaru replied, “yes, this is part of it. The security patrol will certainly check illegal movements of crude oil from both countries, which will really help reduce the illegal movement of illegal oil”.
The proposed joint effort aims to curb the scourge of oil theft, a major challenge facing both nations, and other forms of illegal activities in the maritime environment.