Breaking: Senate Orders Investigation Into Oil Theft by Security Forces And Militia Groups....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In response to a motion brought forth by Senator Ned Nwoko from Delta North, the Senate has called for a comprehensive inquiry into the activities of security forces and militia groups engaged in sophisticated methods of crude oil theft.

The Senate has tasked its committees on Petroleum Resources and Niger Delta Affairs with investigating security forces, militia groups, locals, employees of oil companies, and any individuals or entities suspected of employing advanced techniques to pilfer from oil facilities.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio underscored the detrimental impact of oil theft on the country’s production capacity and requested that the committees present their findings to the Senate within six weeks.

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Senator Nwoko highlighted that pipeline vandalism and oil bunkering have plunged Nigeria into a severe socio-economic crisis, costing the country an estimated ₦2.3 trillion this year. He also alleged that rogue elements within security agencies conspire with unscrupulous figures in the oil industry to engage in oil theft.

He emphasized that this undermines the joint efforts of the Joint Task Force of the Nigerian military and other security agencies combating oil theft.

Nwoko acknowledged the progress made through collaborative efforts, such as Operation Delta Safe and Operation Dakartada Barawo, along with contributions from various security entities, state and local governments, and International Oil Companies (IOCs) in the Niger Delta region.

Despite these efforts, he noted that certain individuals within these institutions participate in illicit activities, collaborating with unscrupulous figures in the oil industry and undermining the nation’s economy.

The senator pointed out that oil theft persists due to a troubling collaboration between security forces, militia groups, the local population, and certain employees within oil companies who employ sophisticated methods to steal from oil facilities within the country.