Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Christopher Musa has committed to ending oil theft within three months, responding decisively to the illicit activities that have long plagued Nigeria.
This move aligns with the federal government’s directive for security agents to intensify their crackdown on oil theft, particularly in the Niger Delta region.
The federal government’s directive comes amid growing concerns about the economic and environmental impacts of oil theft.
Nigeria’s security agencies have declared an all-out war on this criminal activity to protect the country’s vital oil sector.
The coordinated effort includes the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Nigerian Police Force, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, and other security agencies.
These groups have united to combat oil theft in the Niger Delta, a region crucial to Nigeria’s crude oil production.
Following a high-level meeting with NNPC leadership and security agency heads, CDS Musa conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s directive.
“The President has given us a mandate to secure the entire South-South, enabling NNPC and others to boost oil production,” Musa stated, expressing confidence that tangible results would emerge within three months.
He emphasized the longstanding issues in the South-South and the urgent need to address them, assuring the public that the region would soon be free of vandalism and criminality.
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Musa called for trust and cooperation from local communities, stressing the importance of their involvement in the mission.
“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 necessity of community cooperation, the CDS reiterated that combating oil theft requires collective effort. “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.
Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun echoed these sentiments, promising visible progress soon. “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 importance of the security meeting, driven by the President’s urgent directive to the CDS.
Kyari emphasized the national crisis posed by oil theft and pipeline vandalism, highlighting the need for a coordinated response involving the armed forces, police, and other security bodies.
Expressing optimism, Kyari noted 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.
