Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), Administrator of Rivers State, and the Senate Committee on Incessant Crude Oil Theft have called for stronger prosecution of oil thieves alongside the adoption of digital surveillance technologies to combat the growing menace of crude oil theft in Nigeria.

The call came during a meeting on Friday at Government House, Port Harcourt, when Senator Ned Nwoko, chairman of the Senate committee, and his team visited the Rivers State administrator.

In a statement signed by Hector Igbikiowubo, Senior Special Adviser on Media to the Rivers State Government, Ibas emphasized that the current weak punishments embolden criminals and severely hamper Nigeria’s economic growth.

He said, “Crude oil theft strikes at the heart of Nigeria’s economic survival, undermining President Bola Tinubu’s reforms to boost oil production and fund national infrastructure.”

Senator Nwoko stressed the importance of collaboration, saying, “We need Rivers State’s support to end this menace. Big-time thieves operate in international waters, and we must work together to secure Nigeria’s resources.”

Both parties expressed optimism that the committee’s ongoing investigations and recommendations would strengthen the country’s economic foundation and help stem the tide of oil theft.