Security agents, pipeline operators behind oil theft — Ex-Naval commander

Former Commander of Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Suleiman Apochi (retd.), on Friday, alleged that security agents are deeply involved in crude oil theft in the country.

Testifying before the Rep Ado Doguwa-led joint ad hoc committees probing into the issue, Apochi claimed oil theft is carried out with the collaboration of operators of the oil wells and sponsors of the nefarious activity.

Apochi, who served as Commander of Operation Delta Safe between 2016 and 2019, noted that there is no way crude oil can be stolen from the nation’s export pipeline without the collaboration of the three groups: the sponsors, the pipeline operators and security agents.

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According to him, nobody will attempt to take crude from the pipeline when there is flow of crude because the pressure through the lines is enough to kill perpetrators of the act.

He further stated that it takes the active connivance of security agents detailed to conduct 24 hours surveillance of the pipeline for crude oil theft to occur.

He said: “The pressure of flow on the lines is usually very high and nobody can afford to take crude illegally from the pipelines when there is crude on the line.

“It can only happen when there is no crude and only one set of persons will be aware when the pipeline is dry.

“What that means is that those who operate the lines are working with the sponsors of these criminal gangs to steal our crude and these are people who are well known. If I mention names here, you will be shocked.

“Also, security agents are also part of this arrangement because they are supposed to keep vigil on these lines throughout the day. But we have the vessels coming to the pipelines, stop, take crude unchallenged and leave without anyone challenging them. Where are these security men who are supposed to guard these pipelines?

“The big boys who have money are the ones who work with these other two to create passage for these boys to connect to the pipelines and carry out their nefarious activities successfully”.

He disclosed that while in charge of Operation Delta Safe, the country was able to increase its crude oil production from about 900 barrels per day to about 1,500 litres per day when he left the operations.

He also said that while in command, he was able to stop many criminal gangs operating in the area, while some vessels arrested were destroyed.

He said the only way crude oil theft can be brought to an end in the country is to ensure that there are no sacred cows and those arrested are brought to book.

Also in their presentation, the Department of State Services (DSS) called for strengthening existing laws to ensure that those involved are promptly brought to book

Chairman of the investigating committee, Doguwa, has assured that the panel will ensure that all available legislative tools will use to guide the process of protecting the oil.

He said: “The committee aims to collaborate with global partners, leverage cutting-edge technologies, and enhance security architecture to effectively address and eliminate crude oil theft in the hydrocarbon value chain.

“According to the NNPC Ltd., there have been 900 reported infractions on its pipelines, and delayed judicial processes have led to the abandonment of cases, allowing culprits to resume their criminal activities. The presence of sophisticated illegal infrastructure for exploring and refining crude oil has significantly reduced production from 2,500,000 Bpd to 1,300,000 Bpd.”