Defence Minister Calls for Eradication of Crude Oil Theft to Boost Nigeria’s Oil Production

Maryam Aminu

The Honourable Minister of Defence, H.E. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has charged troops of the Headquarters Joint Task Force South South Operation Delta Safe to intensify efforts in completely eradicating crude oil theft and related criminal activities.

His directive comes as Nigeria’s crude oil production shows promising signs of improvement, rising from 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd) to approximately 1.7 million bpd.

During his maiden visit to the Task Force’s Headquarters in Bayelsa State, the Defence Minister commended the troops for their successful demobilization of over 1,100 illegal refineries since February 2024.

“I am confident that by December 2024, our crude oil production will reach 2 million barrels per day, and by mid-2025, we can achieve 2.5 million bpd,” Abubakar stated optimistically.

The Minister emphasized the critical importance of safeguarding national infrastructure, particularly the pipelines that transport crude oil.

He lauded the troops’ ongoing commitment to combating economic sabotage and criminal activities like illegal refining, which have plagued the oil-producing regions for years.

Rear Admiral J.U. Okeke, Commandant of Operation Delta Safe, revealed that the operation has led to an 85% reduction in crude oil theft and illegal refinery activities in the second and third quarters of 2024.

This crackdown has directly contributed to the recent surge in crude oil production, with figures jumping from 1.5 million bpd in June to 1.7 million bpd by September.

In his address to the troops, the Minister conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appreciation for their bravery and commitment, despite operating under challenging conditions.

He urged them to press on until the country achieves its full production potential, declaring, “The President is proud of your efforts, and we will not rest until we get the results we deserve.”

This call to action reflects Nigeria’s renewed resolve to curtail economic sabotage in the oil sector and leverage the nation’s resources to strengthen its economic standing on the global stage.