Abuja, Nigeria – President Bola Tinubu has issued directives to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, to address the rampant oil theft and vandalism plaguing the Niger Delta region. This move aims to boost oil production and achieve economic stability in the country.

Mele Kyari, the Group Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), made this announcement on Tuesday during a press briefing at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja. The briefing followed a high-level meeting of security and intelligence agency heads, convened by General Musa.

Kyari highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting that the ongoing crisis has become a national issue. He emphasized that without curbing oil theft and other criminal activities, achieving the desired economic stability would be impossible.

“We are here to engage with the CDS based on the directive of the president. The president has directed the CDS to take control of the crisis we are having in the Niger Delta operational area,” Kyari said. “Oil theft and pipeline vandalism have become a national issue, the president has directed the CDS to contend with this within the shortest possible time so that we can restore national production to the level the president and the country are expecting.”

Kyari added that the cooperation of all armed forces, the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other relevant agencies is crucial for the success of this mission. He expressed optimism, noting that progress is already being made.

Chief of Defence Staff Vows to Eradicate Vandalism

General Christopher Musa assured Nigerians of his commitment to eliminating all acts of vandalism and criminal activities in the South-South region. He acknowledged the longstanding issues in the area and emphasized the need for immediate action.

“The truth about it is that whatever is happening in the South-South has been ongoing for such a very long time. And we feel it is high time that it is stopped,” Musa stated. “What we are promising Nigerians is that henceforth, the entire South-South will be cleared of any acts of vandalism, or criminality within the general area.”

Musa called on host communities to trust and support the security agencies, stressing the importance of community involvement in addressing pipeline vandalism and its adverse effects.

“We need the communities to understand that pipeline vandalism and all the hazards being caused are also affecting them directly. And we need to stop that,” he added.

Coordinated Efforts and Anticipated Results

General Musa outlined plans to harmonize the operations of security agencies to meet the President’s mandate. He assured that the results of these coordinated efforts would be evident within the next two to three months.

“We need to work together. And this meeting we had today is to harmonize that based on the mandates that the President has given us,” Musa explained. “We’re going to work together as a team. All the operations will be harmonized. Coming on that, the Joint Task Force, with the land components of all the other agencies, and we’re going to work and bring results.”

Police Commitment

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, also pledged the police force’s full support in tackling oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta.

“We accept that we have challenges, but we must all come together to solve them. So, we need the cooperation of all agencies, we need the cooperation of the citizens,” Egbetokun said. “I assure you that in the days ahead, you are going to see results.”

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The concerted efforts by the federal government and security agencies signal a robust approach to restoring stability and boosting the nation’s oil production capabilities.