NNPCL: International Syndicates Behind Oil Theft in Nigeria
Byline: Economy & Security Desk, IDNN
Oil Theft in Nigeria Driven by International Syndicates
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has declared that oil theft in Nigeria is orchestrated by sophisticated international syndicates exploiting weak security frameworks.
At the African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit in Abuja, NNPCL’s Group CEO, Bashir Ojulari, said intensified collaboration between defence and intelligence agencies has crippled the networks and restored confidence in pipeline integrity.
“Our pipelines and terminal receipts are now attaining close to 100 percent. This turnaround has stabilised crude exports and restored investor confidence,” Ojulari said.
Billions Lost, Confidence Restored
Until recently, Nigeria lost billions annually to organised oil theft. By 2016, daily production slumped to one million barrels per day (bpd) as militancy crippled the Niger Delta. By contrast, Ojulari reported that stronger security measures have pushed exports back toward historical highs.
He noted that Nigeria now targets 2.5 million bpd by 2026, a level last reached in 2005.
A National and Global Battle
Ojulari stressed that oil theft is not a purely local crime. “These are international syndicates exploiting regional gaps,” he said, adding that joint efforts between private security contractors and national forces have dismantled major operations.
The renewed crackdown, particularly in the Niger Delta, has been described as “a fight against sophisticated cartels” that once siphoned over 70 percent of crude pumped through certain pipelines.
Security Collaboration Paying Off
The NNPCL chief praised the combined role of military units, intelligence agencies, and private partners in restoring Nigeria’s oil lifeline. He emphasised that the battle against oil theft in Nigeria must remain sustained to protect revenues, jobs, and national security.
Regional defence chiefs at the summit echoed similar concerns, noting that insurgents and organised criminals often overlap in exploiting weak states and porous borders.
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