Nigeria’s Military Vows to Crack Down on Crude Oil Thieves
In a bold statement, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has declared that the days of crude oil thieves are numbered. Speaking to newsmen on Friday, General Musa assured that the military is taking concrete steps to crack down on the thieves who have been plaguing the country’s oil industry for over two decades.
Nigeria, one of Africa’s largest oil producers, has struggled with a significant oil theft challenge, with an estimated 200,000 barrels of oil lost daily, representing about 10% of its daily production. The theft occurs primarily through pipeline vandalism and illegal bunkering, where oil is siphoned off and sold in the black market.
General Musa lamented the situation, stating that the country’s oil infrastructure has been repeatedly targeted by thieves, causing significant financial losses and undermining the country’s ability to meet its crude oil production target of 2.1 million barrels per day.
In a stern warning to the thieves, General Musa vowed, “For the criminals, those that are hell-bent on stealing our infrastructure, stealing our crude for whatever reasons, their days are numbered. They should be rest assured that we are coming after them.”
The military’s efforts to combat oil theft are expected to play a crucial role in ensuring the country meets its production target and reduces its reliance on imported petroleum products. With the military’s commitment to tackling the issue, Nigerians can expect a significant reduction in oil theft and a boost to the country’s economy.
