The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Oil theft

  • ‘Govt needs to double its efforts on oil theft sponsors’

    ‘Govt needs to double its efforts on oil theft sponsors’

    Comrade Lumumba Okugbawa is the General Secretary of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN). In this interview with TOBA AGBOOLA, among other issues, he urges the government to go after sponsors of oil theft and vandalism.

    What are your expectations and challenges in the sector?

    We expect things to improve in 2024 in our sector. Our major challenges are oil theft and environmental degradation. Many of these oil companies don’t care about the environment they operate.

     But the biggest challenge is oil theft. Oil theft happens and it’s a big business for some. As at January, this year, the country produced about 1.4million barrels per day, while in 2023, we never produced up to one million barrels per day. You will discover that most of the oil produced has been stolen. Meanwhile,our quota from  the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is 1.8million, even though we are capable of producing two million barrels per day. So, most of these products are being stolen and when we are talking about stealing, we are not talking about stealing using Jerry cans. We are talking about those who steal heavily, in barges. And the funny thing is that the security will tell you that they cannot track these people. We believe that there is a complicity from the high rank in the society. Based on that, PENGASSAN planned a campaign and we took it to the four major zones in the country, including Abuja. We did this so that the government will swing into action. It’s a major challenge.This is also discouraging the IOC because they are not getting enough from their investments.

    How is insecurity affecting you?

    Insecurity is another big challenge in the country. Nowhere is safe and the indices are there. This puts fear on those who want to invest and that’s why most of these companies are relocating. Nobody wants to go deeper offshore because of the security challenge.You cannot travel peacefully again. You cannot even go to your village peacefully. If you must go, you have to go secretly.

    We are also hoping those that will take over the assets of these companies will do the right things, most especially for the workers. We are working on a Memorandum of Understand (MOU) backed with a legal framework.

    What is/are the implication(s) of Dangote and PH Refineries coming on board?

    We expect that it will reduce the price of petroleum marginally.This is because it will have a positive effect on the cost of demurrage, landing etc.Two things affect the price of oil. First, is the vocality of the naira.Two, is the local production. Alhaji Aliko Dangote is not going to be Father Christmas. He is here to do business and make profit. What we have been saying for many years is the need to stem importation and enhance local production. Even, as far as we are concerned, subsidy is a scam. If we follow the international oil price as it is, we won’t be buying fuel at N600 per litre. Probably, it would have gone up to N900 per litre. This is because with the naira and dollar jumping up and down, fuel price also is supposed to be fluctuating and not stable at N600 per litre. What it means is that the government is still doing something to it.

    And not that subsidy is bad, but the government needs to do something to mitigate the suffering. And the way it is interpreted is also wrong. For instance, if I say, don’t buy this thing at this price, buy it less because I am going to subsidise it, am I doing a bad thing? But the corruption in it is the issue. Also, the money that they made since the removal of subsidy,what have they done with it? Most especially the governors. States and local governments have been collecting heavy shares from the removal of subsidy, what have they done with it? There is even an allegation that some of these governors after getting their share decided to buy dollars and keep it. Some of them even do business with it.This is also putting pressure on the dollars.

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    Another good side of this subsidy removal was that when it was removed, smuggling of petroleum reduced drastically. This is because they are not making profit again. We were feeding the whole West Africa and don’t forget that our border is so porous. Niger alone shares a border with about four Northern states.

    What’s your take on the government’s reforms?

    People started criticising this government one month after it took over and they will continue to do so. It is normal. It didn’t start today. So, the government needs to make itself accountable. Don’t also forget that the international crisis is also affecting us. Nigeria is as challenged as other countries. In fact, in some countries people leave from hand to mouth because the salary is not enough.They have to settle bills. But, more importantly, our lifestyles have to change. We need to adjust because of the situation on the ground.

    What are PENGASSAN’s plans for its members?

    Our major plan is to work on the issue of contract staff. You said somebody is a contract staff and he has been working for you for 15 years and you still call him a contract staff. So, we are going to look into this. Meanwhile, there are also some contract staff that earn more than the regular staff. We are going to look into this. We are going to address the problem of discrimination. Other issues we are going to address through our advocacy are: insecurity, and vandalism. We want the government to go after the sponsors and not just the foot soldiers.  No matter how highly placed those people are, the government should go after them.

  • Reps pledge synergy with armed forces to combat oil theft

    Reps pledge synergy with armed forces to combat oil theft

    The House of Representatives Special Committee on Oil Theft has promised to collaborate with the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security organisations in the country to tackle the scourge of crude oil theft in the country.

    The Chairman of the Committee, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, made the promise when he led other members of the committee on a visit to the office of the Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher G. Musa.

    Doguwa said the committee was proud of some of the achievements recorded in recent times by the military and other security organizations in securing government facilities and uncovering several facilities used in depriving the country of its crude oil.

    Read Also: Uzodimma: we’re making progress on ending crude oil theft

    He recalled that the Chief of Defence Staff and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) recently inspected an illegal crude oil vessel loaded with thousands of metric tonnes of crude oil that was intercepted by Tantita Security Services, a private security firm.

    “We also commend the Nigerian military over its commitment to securing government facilities, improving production processes in the oil and Gas sector of the Nigerian Economy,” Doguwa said.

  • Reps panel seeks urgent overhaul of security systems to tackle oil theft, losses

    Reps panel seeks urgent overhaul of security systems to tackle oil theft, losses

    The Chairman of the House of Representatives Special Committee on Oil Theft/Losses, Hon Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, has called for an urgent comprehensive review and overhaul of the county’s surveillance and security measures.

    Ado-Doguwa said this in his closing remarks during a visit to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, in Abuja at the weekend.

    The lawmaker, who said this against the backdrop of the recent apprehension of the vessel MT Kali, laden with over 200,000 liters of illicitly acquired crude oil, noted that this incident has not only intensified concerns but also brought to light the depth and complexity of such criminal activity

    He said as the Chairman of the vital Special Committee of the House, it was his solemn duty to address this pressing matter regarding the escalating issue of crude oil theft in Nigeria.

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    He sought the support and cooperation of the Chief of Defence Staff to facilitate this critical mission.

    He lauded the prompt and decisive action taken by the Chief of Defence Staff to initiate an in-depth investigation into this case..

    Ado-Doguwa said this proactive response is a testament to President Bola Tinubu‘s administration’s unwavering commitment to confronting and eradicating the problem from the nation.

    He said, “Our Committee, instituted by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Ph.D., on the 22nd of November, is entrusted with the thorough investigation of the intricate web of oil theft and losses within our nation’s oil and gas sector.

    “This task extends to scrutinizing the involvement of various elements, ranging from illicit entities and local communities to corporate employees and security forces.

    “Our immediate plan includes an investigative visit to the site of this incident in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State and the Delta state location where the vessel is secured.

    ” In this regard, we earnestly seek the support and cooperation of the Chief of Defence Staff to facilitate this critical mission.

    “We laud the prompt and decisive action taken by the Chief of Defence Staff on the 17th of January 2024, directing the Chief of Defence Intelligence to initiate an in-depth investigation into this case.

    “This proactive response is a testament to President Tinubu administration’s unwavering commitment to confronting and eradicating this plague from our nation.

    “However, the emergence of this theft has raised several alarming questions. The journey of MT Kali, spanning from Lagos to Bayelsa, and its ability to operate undetected on Nigerian waters for such an extended period despite our advanced surveillance systems, namely the Navy’s Falcon Eye and NIMASA’s Deep Blue Project, is deeply concerning.

    “The security risks and implications of such an incident cannot be overstated. This scenario points to the urgent need for a comprehensive review and overhaul of our surveillance and security measures. It also underscores the importance of unraveling the intricate networks involved in these illicit activities, which seem to include international collaborations.

    “As we embark on this vital mission, guided by sections 62, 88, and 89 of the Nigerian Constitution, we call upon the Chief of Defence Staff, all security and law enforcement agencies, stakeholders in the oil and gas sector, and every patriotic Nigerian to join hands with us. Your support and collaboration are indispensable in our quest to bring an end to this menace.

    “In conclusion, let us remember that we are one Federal Government, with three arms working in harmony to ensure the welfare and security of our people. This challenge requires a united front, and I am confident that together, we can decisively tackle and resolve this issue for the greater good of Nigeria.”

  • 23 suspects arrested over oil theft in Delta

    23 suspects arrested over oil theft in Delta

    Twenty-three suspects were on Monday, January 15, paraded in connection to the 350,000 litre-capacity MT. KALI which was arrested by Tantita Security Services Limited and other security agencies off the coast of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri, Delta state.

    The vessel, laden with 200,000 litres of stolen crude, was taken to Oporoza for further investigation.

    The security agencies got commendation by President Bola Tinubu for their efforts at combating oil theft, saying that their collaborative efforts were yielding the desired results.

    The president spoke through the Chief of Defence Staff, Maj.-Gen. Christopher Musa, who he deployed to inspect the impounded the 350,000 litre-capacity MT. KALI.

    CDS Musa, flanked by top officials of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and military chief promised to deal ruthlessly with oil thieves and their sponsors.

    According to him, the arrested vessel will be destroyed in line with standard practice to serve as deterrent to others.

    Mele Kyari, NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, who declined comments on camera, decried the brazen level at which crude oil theft has escalated in the past few months despite the efforts being made to increase crude oil production and raise government revenue.

    The CDS urged the media to refrain from reports that creates disaffection between the government and private security outfits working together to achieve better results.

    He said: “We are here based on the report of the arrest of this ship, and I think it’s a major achievement. It shows that we’re committed in ensuring that we stop this criminality within the maritime environment.

    “This is a collaborative effort and it will continue to collaborate with the NNPCL, the others, private security agencies, the main federal government agencies are also working together.

    “I don’t want a situation where we create the impression as if there’s enmity between this group and that group.

    “We’re working for the same team, we’re all Nigerians; this is our country. Whatever is happening here is an act of criminality that must be stopped by all means. So, I want to make it very clear that all Nigerians must put hands on deck to ensure that we stop these acts.

    “The country is bleeding. We need all the funds we need so that this country can grow and develop and it is just by stopping these criminals like this that will make it possible.

    “So, why we’re here? It’s to come and see to identify them. The Chief of Defense Intelligence is going to go straight into investigation as to who is involved, what was taken, who sent them, and this is because we want to catch the perpetrators.

    “These ones are just the ground troops that are being used, the main actors are behind, and I want to use this opportunity to warn all those that don’t want to stop this, that enough is enough.

    “The Armed Forces, the security agencies, the communities, private security agencies, wherever they are, they are contracted as long as they’re contracted by the federal government, we’re going to work together as a team.

    “There’s not going to be any competition between us, and please, the media should stop making it look as if there’s a fight, there is no fight.

    “Whatever arrest that has been done, is done collaboratively and we’re going to continue to do that. And so that is very important.

    “We’re happy that these have been arrested. We’re going to take it off from here, and we’re going to do more, because, henceforth, we’re going to enhance our collaboration and our joint efforts in ensuring that we check these menace.

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    “Nigeria must grow, and individuals cannot hold us to ransom. There are very few individuals who are making profit from this. And, they don’t want to stop because I would have expected that by now, from all the actions being taken to discourage people from doing it. But, you can see that people are still hell-bent to steal our crude for their own selfish gains, and that must stop.

    He further stated: “So, I want to thank you for this opportunity that we’re here. And to make it very clear that we are all working together as a team.

    “We will enhance this capacity, and this year, we will ensure that Nigeria oil production goes up, as much as possible, so that we can all benefit as Nigerians.

    “The crude inside the vessel will be treated as standard operating procedure, including the ship.

    “I know those ships that are very new will not want to commit crime. They want to go look for those ones that are almost dead. So that if they succeed, they have gained and if they lose it, they don’t lose anything. This will follow the standard operating procedure.”

  • Anti-oil theft crusaders fault calls for revocation of surveillance contracts

    Anti-oil theft crusaders fault calls for revocation of surveillance contracts

    Anti-pipeline vandalism crusaders in the Niger Delta have criticized the National Awareness Forum (NAF) for reportedly urging the federal government to cancel the crude oil pipeline surveillance contract managed by Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL).  

    The campaigners, operating under the Anti-Pipeline Vandalisation/Oil Theft and Illegal Bunkering Task Force Group (APV-OTIBTFG), have additionally alleged that the NAF is backed by oil theft cabals engaged in the illicit pilfering of crude oil in the region.

    The crude oil pipeline surveillance contract was awarded the PINL, under the watch of the revered monarch, His Royal Majesty (HRM), Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, and Mr Osahon Okunbo as the Managing Director/CEO of the firm.

    The group in a communique yesterday made available to reporters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, after its emergency meeting convened by its Leader, former militant leader, Comrade Fiawei Pathfinder, popularly known as ‘General’ Osama, condemned in strong terms the unwarranted call that the surveillance contract job be cancelled.

    The communique read in part: “Preliminary investigations have revealed that the purported NAF is a tool being used by oil theft cabals involved in the illicit theft of crude oil in the region.

    “The call is unfounded, frivolous, baseless and false against a reputable and noble oil company. We are disappointed that some disgruntled, unscrupulous and criminal elements who have failed the country and Nigerians through their criminal actions over the years would descend so low to say that the officially awarded pipeline surveillance contract awarded to PINL should be terminated.

    “While we condemn in totality the call made by this group calling for the cancellation of the pipeline surveillance contract, we unanimously and vehemently dismiss all unfounded and baseless allegations leveled against the management of the firm.

    “We are really pained to see this in the media but we want to disabuse the minds of Nigerians that the allegations are fabricated lies from the figment of their poor imagination. The PINL is a company of international repute, which operates according to global best practices and this made the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to have confidence in PINL by awarding it the contract.

    “We have also resolved to pass a vote of confidence in the management of PINL because of the remarkable and outstanding achievements they had made that resulted in the drastic reduction of criminal activities in the sector as the company diligently carries out its job with sophisticated strategies catalyzed by the use of modern technology.

    Read Also: Oil theft: Navy chief launches ‘Operation Delta Sanity’

    “We also warn those behind the unfounded claims and their sponsors to desist from cheap blackmail which are signs that they are being frustrated from engaging in their illegal oil business.

    “The PINL has succeeded in crumbling and frustrating these oil thieves and their sponsors. We implore Mr President to be wary of them. Also, the NNPCL led by Mr. Mele Kyari should not take them seriously because there is nothing to back up their tissue of lies.

    “However, it is also imperative to point out and put the records straight that despite some minor incidents of damages as a result of acts of sabotage on some pipelines and oil theft being recorded in the months of December 2023 and January 2024 in some parts of Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta states, they were not linked to PINL management’s failure or compromise.

  • Oil theft: you are wrong, Tantita tells Navy

    Oil theft: you are wrong, Tantita tells Navy

    Tantita Security Services Limited (TSL) has described accusation by the Nigerian Navy (NN) that it is involved in illegal oil activities along the coastal areas of Ondo State as ‘bizarre and mischievous’.

     The Navy had issued a statement last Thursday on the arrest of an illegal vessel, with 17 crew members onbaord. It said Tantita may have been involved in the incident. It also claimed that Tantita Security Services ‘is involved in these illegalities because Awoye riverine area, which is close to the place of arrest, is covered by TSS’.

     The Navy’s statement followed an earlier alarm raised by the company about the arrest of the vessel and a claim supported with video evidence that the Navy was resisting access to the vessel. It was further noted that the Nay rejected demands by the NNPC for a joint inspection of the vessel.

    Read Also: Crude Oil Theft: Navy, Tantita on collision course over arrested vessel

    But the company, in a statement at the weeked, described the statement as libelous. Signed by the Executive Director ( Operations and Technical), Capt. Warredi Enisuoh, the firm said it  will not join issues with the Navy ‘as we are well aware that Nigerians know who is who’. 

    The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to a defamatory and libellous statement made by the Nigerian Navy against our organisation, on December 7. We are saddened and disappointed that the Nigerian Navy could descend so low as to make such bizarre accusations against our organisation knowing same to be false.

    “Perhaps, they are not aware that video evidence of what transpired between operatives of TSL and the Navy exists and has been transmitted to the highest authorities. We will therefore not join issues with the Nigerian Navy as we are well aware that Nigerians know who is who.”

  • Police arrest truck drivers over alleged base oil theft

    Police arrest truck drivers over alleged base oil theft

    The police have arrested four tanker drivers and a ‘motor boy’ who allegedly stole tonnes of base oil worth over N2billion from a lubricant and grease manufacturing company, Climax Oil Lubricant.

    The suspects – Joseph Gambo, Fabian Okafor, Chijoke Anyanha, Tochukwu Obiora and Azeez Saheed – have denied the allegations.

    The drivers were accused of undersupplying base oil to the company by allegedly manipulating the metres by attaching a small hose to the manhole.

    According to police, the company was defrauded of over N2billion between March 2019 and October 2023.

    One of the detectives at the Zone 2 Command, Onikan, said: “The management noticed that for three years, it had shortages due to undersupply of base oil paid for.

    “The management was notified by an anonymous caller, who disclosed that all the drivers took up to 1000 litres on each trip.

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    “First, they will put the big gasket on the manhole. When they get to the supply point, they will lose the manhole completely because the seal is on the top, remove the big gasket and put the small one.”

    Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Emmanuel Iheagwazi, said the company’s meter is three inches, adding that the tankers were manipulated.

    “I called my marketing manager to climb the lorry to see the manhole. What he saw was an eyesore.”

    “The tank is built 11 feet, so after the first 11 feet, the driver blocked it and put a valve after loading, and the valve would close. We got about 300 litres of shortages after the driver offloaded.

    “We had to make a formal report at the AIG Zone II office at Onikan. Already, about five of the trucks have been impounded.”

    The drivers, who denied the allegations, are under interrogation.

    Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) Apapa branch, Mr. Jimoh Adeniran, has intervened in the matter and is said to be brokering a settlement.

  • Oil theft: A plague on prosperity

    Oil theft: A plague on prosperity

    • By: John Amabolou Elekun

    Sir: The Niger Delta, a region known for its vast oil wealth, has become a battleground for a different kind of struggle. Contrary to common perceptions, the perpetrators of oil theft in this region are not the marginalized or economically disenfranchised; instead, it is the well-to-do who orchestrate this criminal enterprise. This phenomenon has far-reaching consequences, leaving the average child born in the region without the benefits one might expect from an oil-rich area.

    Unlike the stereotypical image of impoverished individuals siphoning oil from pipelines, the reality is far more insidious. The orchestrators of oil theft in the Niger Delta often hail from influential circles, leveraging their resources and networks to carry out large-scale operations. These individuals, shielded by their positions of power, contribute to the perpetuation of a cycle of corruption that undermines the potential for widespread prosperity in the region.

    The consequences of oil theft extend beyond economic losses. While these criminal activities yield immense profits for a select few, the average resident of the Niger Delta is left grappling with the environmental fallout. Water sources are contaminated, and fertile farming lands are rendered barren due to oil spills. This environmental degradation not only jeopardizes the livelihoods of the local population but also poses severe health risks.

    Read Also: Ex-Niger Delta warlords unite against oil theft

    Perhaps the most tragic aspect of this scenario is the bleak future it paints for the next generation. Despite being born into an oil-rich region, the average child in the Niger Delta is denied the benefits that should naturally accompany such wealth. Instead, they inherit a landscape tainted by pollution, lacking the opportunities for education, healthcare, and overall well-being that should be inherent in an oil-producing region.

    Addressing the issue of oil theft in the Niger Delta requires a multi-faceted approach. Beyond law enforcement efforts to curb the criminal activities of oil theft, there is a pressing need for systemic changes. Transparency and accountability must be enforced in the oil industry, ensuring that the profits generated are reinvested into the local communities. Moreover, there should be a concerted effort to diversify the economy of the Niger Delta, providing alternative sources of livelihood that do not contribute to environmental degradation.

    The scourge of oil theft in the Niger Delta is a harsh reminder of how the exploitation of natural resources can lead to dire consequences for the very people who should benefit the most. Breaking free from this cycle demands a collective commitment to justice, environmental sustainability and the well-being of future generations. Only through concerted efforts to address the root causes of this issue can the Niger Delta hope to realize its true potential as a beacon of prosperity rather than a victim of exploitation.

    • John Amabolou Elekun, Iju-Auwon, Lagos.
  • Oil theft: Senate to probe security, militia groups

    Oil theft: Senate to probe security, militia groups

    The Senate yesterday ordered a thorough investigation of security forces and militia groups using sophisticated methods to steal crude oil.

    This followed a motion by Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North).

    The Senate mandated its committees on Petroleum Resources and Niger Delta Affairs to probe security forces, militia groups, locals, oil company employees and any individual or entity suspected to be using sophisticated methods to pilfer from oil facilities.

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio said oil theft has impacted negatively on the country’s production capacity.

    He asked the committees to report back to the Senate in six weeks.

    Nwoko noted that pipeline vandalism and oil bunkering had brought Nigeria into a serious socio-economic crisis.

    The lawmaker said oil theft has cost Nigeria N2.3 trillion this year.

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    He claimed that some bad eggs within the security agencies conspire with unscrupulous figures within the oil industry to engage in the illicit activity of oil theft.

    This, he said, undermined the collaborative efforts of the Joint Task Force of the Nigerian military and other security agencies to combat the menace.

    Nwoko said: “The current collaborative efforts involving the Joint Task Force of the Nigerian military, operations like Operation Delta Safe and Operation Dakartada Barawo, along with the contributions of various security entities, state and local governments, and International Oil Companies (IOCs) in the Niger Delta region have yielded positive results.

    “These efforts have led to an increase in oil production, reaching 1.51 million barrels per day in the first quarter of 2023.”

    “This figure marks an improvement from the 1.49 million barrels per day recorded in the same quarter of 2022 and is notably higher than the production volume of 1.34 million barrels per day in the fourth quarter of 2022.

    “Despite the efforts of certain military personnel and security agencies like the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) and Department of State Services (DSS) in combating oil theft in the Niger Delta region, there are individuals within these institutions who engage in illicit activities.

    “These individuals collaborate with unscrupulous figures within the oil industry to undermine the nation’s economy.”

    He believes oil theft thrives due to a troubling collaboration between security forces, militia groups, the local population, and certain employees within oil companies.

    “These parties employ sophisticated methods to carry out theft from oil facilities located within the country,” he said.

  • Nigeria loses $4m daily to oil theft, says NSA

    Nigeria loses $4m daily to oil theft, says NSA

    • Siphoning point found in Abia
    • Minister okays pipeline protection firm Tantita’s efforts

    A high-powered team dispatched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to assess crude oil theft in the Niger Delta has uncovered illegal connections where Nigeria loses the product worth million of dollars monthly in Abia State.

    The site in Owaza had many illegal connections to a major crude pipeline, a video of the finding made available to The Nation yesterday showed.

    The team also carried out an aerial assessment of nine other Niger Delta oil-producing communities –   Bille, Azuzuama, Ahoada, Rumuekepe Ebocha, Abacheke, Egbema, Ohaji, and Koko communities of Abia, Rivers, Bayelsa, Imo and Delta states.

    Defence Minister Muhammed Badaru  told reporters after a closed-door meeting with  Rivers State Governor  Similaye Fubara in Port Harcourt that the discovery was made on Saturday.

    Service chiefs, Ministers of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil),  Heineken Lokpobiri; and  Gas,  Ekperipe Ekpo;  National Security Adviser   Nuhu Ribadu, and the Group Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited(NPCL) Mele Kyari are members of the delegation. 

    Also in the team are Commander of “Operation Delta Safe’’  Olusegun Ferreira, operatives of security agencies and chief executive officers of regulatory agencies in the oil and gas sector.

    The delegation noted that clandestine refineries, illegal bunkering operations and environmental devastation collectively translated into severe economic losses for the nation.

    “We are ready to do whatever it takes for a peaceful Niger Delta, give peace a chance, cease and desist crude from oil theft and economic sabotage,” Badaru said.

    Ribadu, who led the team, said that  Nigeria still loses  400,000 barrels of crude oil daily in spite of efforts to curb the trend.

    He said: “It’s unfortunate that few individuals would steal our common resources, and in the process, cause unbelievable loss to both the nation, communities and the people.

    “The value of 400,000 barrels of oil today is about $4 million and every day, we lose this amount because of this irresponsible behaviour.

    Read Also: Navy resolute in fight against oil theft, says CNS

    “If you multiply $4 million dollars by 365 days (one year), you will see that it is a lot of money running into billions of dollars.

    “Currently, the country is in desperate need of money as the Naira is continuously losing its value because we earn less money.

    “If we earn more money, it will not only help strengthen our currency but reflect in everything, including the cost of living in the country.” 

    The NSA called for collaborative efforts by security agencies and host communities to end illegal oil activities in the Niger Delta.

    He warned oil thieves and their co-conspirators that  “enough is enough.”

    “The environment is being destroyed, livelihoods are being destroyed and the Federation is deprived of revenue capable of shoring up the economy and strengthening the naira,” Ribadu said.

    Ribadu’s predecessor, Maj.- Gen. Babagana Monguno, had in December, lamented that the Federal Government might lose $23 billion this year if crude oil theft was not tackled.