The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has announced that a coordinated national effort involving defence and intelligence agencies has nearly eradicated pipeline theft across the country.
This achievement has significantly restored confidence in the national crude oil evacuation network, marking a dramatic turnaround from previous years of severe losses. Group Chief Executive Officer Bayo Ojulari delivered the positive update during a regional security forum held in Abuja on Monday.
Ojulari revealed that pipeline and terminal receipts have rebounded impressively and are now approaching full capacity.
This success follows years of extensive sabotage and theft that saw as little as thirty percent of pumped crude reaching export terminals just three years ago, resulting in billions of dollars in lost government revenue and diminished international investor confidence.
The NNPC chief attributed this improvement to enhanced collaboration on security measures, particularly within the Niger Delta region where the majority of the nation’s oil infrastructure is situated.
He emphasised that the theft networks were not limited to local operators but included sophisticated international syndicates that had long exploited regional security vulnerabilities.
Addressing this complex challenge required a unified approach, bringing together the military, intelligence services, and contracted private security firms.
This strategic partnership has coincided with a steady increase in national oil output. Recent projections from regulators suggest that production could soon exceed 2.5 million barrels per day, a level not seen since 2005.
The NNPC remains committed to sustaining this collaboration to ensure uninterrupted operations and to meet the government’s production targets, thereby strengthening economic stability and investor trust.
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cc: The Guardian NG
