The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has called on the Nigerian Senate to extend its ongoing efforts to combat crude oil theft by holding International Oil Companies (IOCs), particularly Shell and Eni, fully accountable for decades of environmental degradation, economic sabotage, and human rights violations in the Niger Delta.
Reacting to the recent meeting between the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, HEDA, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, welcomed the renewed legislative attention to oil-related crimes but insisted that justice must go beyond addressing local theft.
“While we commend the Senate for stepping up collaboration with security agencies to tackle oil theft, the deeper and more enduring theft is the environmental and economic plunder by IOCs. These companies, including Shell and Eni in particular, are attempting to exit Nigerian onshore quietly, divesting their assets without taking responsibility for the massive devastation they have caused. That is unacceptable.” Suraju maintained.
The Senate Committee, led by Senator Ned Nwoko, recently emphasised the need for enhanced intelligence sharing and stronger coordination with security agencies to safeguard Nigeria’s oil infrastructure. However, HEDA insists that securing oil assets is only one part of the equation.
“Justice for Niger Delta residents cannot be secured by police action alone. If the Senate truly wants to end economic sabotage, then it must also tackle the longstanding impunity of oil multinationals who, for decades, operated with little regard for the environment or the people,” Suraju added.
HEDA recalled its consistent advocacy against hasty divestment by IOCs. The organisation petitioned both Nigerian authorities and international accountability institutions to demand that IOCs remediate polluted sites and compensate affected communities before divesting. This demand was repeated in 2023 and 2024 following international legal rulings against Shell. Yet, concrete local action remains grossly inadequate.
“It’s time for the Nigerian Senate to show the same urgency in enforcing environmental justice as it is doing in curbing oil theft. Communities in Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta and beyond continue to suffer the health, economic, and ecological consequences of oil extraction, and they must not be abandoned again,” Suraju stressed.
According to data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), between 2002 and 2025, Nigeria lost over 353 million barrels of crude oil worth an estimated $25.7 billion to theft. HEDA warns that the Senate must also investigate how much more has been lost to pollution, displacement, and corporate irresponsibility.
“This is a defining moment; the Senate must rise above politics and protect the dignity and rights of the people. Shell and Eni must not be allowed to walk away without cleaning up their mess. Anything less is an injustice.” Suraju stated.
