The Federal Government is ramping up efforts to secure Nigeria’s oil infrastructure, with a renewed clampdown on pipeline vandals yielding 15 convictions and 100 prosecutions, according to the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).
At a town hall meeting held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, disclosed through his Special Assistant on Energy, Security, and Finance, Mr. Amakiri Harry-Young, that the government’s pipeline protection initiative is already delivering results. He confirmed that 15 offenders have been convicted and remanded in Port Harcourt prison, while 100 others are currently undergoing prosecution.
This comes as part of a coordinated effort by a joint investigative and prosecuting team established under the NSA’s office to tackle oil-related crimes, especially pipeline vandalism, across the Niger Delta.
Presidential Mandate: 2.5 Million Barrels Per Day Target
According to the NSA, the Federal Government remains committed to achieving President Bola Tinubu’s directive of increasing Nigeria’s crude oil production to 2.5 million barrels per day. Ribadu emphasized that the success of this target depends heavily on securing critical oil infrastructure and preventing crude oil theft, which has long undermined Nigeria’s energy and economic potential.
Community Partnerships Driving Success
Dr. Akpos Mezeh, Community Relations Consultant for Petroleum Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), the company contracted to oversee surveillance of the Trans-Niger Pipeline, highlighted the progress made through grassroots collaboration. He stated that PINL has helped reduce crude oil theft and vandalism on the pipeline to near-zero levels.
He attributed these gains to strong community engagement, investment in local development, environmental restoration, and the deployment of surveillance infrastructure, including portable cabins and security camps. PINL’s efforts, Mezeh said, have enhanced investor confidence and improved national oil revenue.
Host Communities Urged to Strengthen Support
In his remarks, President of the Ijaw National Congress, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, acknowledged the contribution of the Ijaw people in supporting national economic stability through cooperation with pipeline surveillance operators. He urged host communities to continue backing PINL’s activities, while also calling for a review of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). He criticized the current three percent allocation to host communities as insufficient and demanded more equitable terms.
Traditional Leaders Commend Surveillance Efforts
Speaking on behalf of traditional rulers in the affected LGAs, King Joshua Igbugburu, the Ibenanawei of Bomo Kingdom, applauded PINL’s model of engagement and accountability. He encouraged the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and other surveillance contractors to regularly consult communities and stakeholders to ensure continued success in curbing vandalism.
Igbugburu urged competing firms in the surveillance space to adopt similar proactive approaches, warning that insecurity in oil-producing regions undermines both community development and national revenue.