The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, says international and continental criminal networks are exploiting security gaps to steal crude oil across Africa.
Speaking at the opening of the Africa Chief of Defence Staff Conference in Abuja, Mr Ojulari called for stronger collaboration among military formations across the continent. He said crude theft is not a localised problem but one driven by specialised international syndicates.
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He added that in Nigeria, crude theft and pipeline vandalism have reduced significantly, particularly in the Niger Delta, due to the efforts of security forces. According to him, pipeline and terminal receipts, which once stood at as low as 20 to 30 percent, have now risen close to 100 percent.
The event was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray, and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahamoud Youssouf.
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