Nigeria’s oil theft problem is not a local issue but the work of well-organised international and regional crime groups, says the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), Bashir Bayo Ojulari.

Speaking at the Africa Chief of Defence Staff Conference in Abuja, Ojulari said the theft of crude oil is a complex operation that thrives on security loopholes across borders. He warned that protecting oil facilities is vital for Nigeria’s economy and for energy stability across Africa.

According to him, military operations and security partnerships have reduced some cases of vandalism and theft in the Niger Delta, but stronger international cooperation is needed to fully dismantle the networks behind the crimes.

Recent raids by the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division uncovered over 32,000 litres of stolen petroleum and led to the arrest of nearly 70 suspects. The government is also using drones and satellite technology to monitor pipelines and has teamed up with global bodies to block the illegal sale of stolen oil abroad.

Ojulari noted that NNPC has joined forces with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to combat smuggling and has introduced new cargo tracking systems. Still, the fight faces hurdles such as corruption, limited infrastructure, and the dependence of some local communities on illegal refining for survival.

He stressed that securing Nigeria’s crude oil reserves is essential, not only for national progress but also for the continent’s wider energy future.