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Tag: Crude Oil

  • NNPC makes fresh delivery of crude oil to Dangote Refinery

    NNPC makes fresh delivery of crude oil to Dangote Refinery

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has disclosed it would be supplying a total of 17.6 million barrels of crude oil to Dangote Refinery between September and October 2024 as part of the federal government’s push to drive local production of petroleum products.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports NNPC Limited to have said this month alone, the Dangote Refinery will be receiving 6.3 million barrels of crude oil in 7 cargoes and that in the month of October the refinery will receive another 11.3 million barrels of crude oil in 13 cargoes.

    “We have supplied about 30 million barrels of crude oil to Dangote Refinery so far, and this month alone, we will be providing 6.3 million barrels of crude oil to the refinery in seven cargoes. In October, we will be providing another 11.3 million barrels of crude oil to Dangote refinery in 13 cargoes. We are doing everything possible to ensure this situation normalises,” the NNPC said.

    Mr Adedapo Segun, the Executive Vice President, Downstream, NNPC Limited, who made this known in a statement on Thursday, noted that this is in addition to the 30 million barrels of crude oil that had earlier been supplied to the Dangote Refinery.

    He also noted that the current fuel scarcity is expected to ease off in a few days as more stations will begin selling the product and that foreign exchange (forex) illiquidity has been a significant factor influencing the fluctuation in prices of petrol occasioned by unrestricted free market forces.

    Segun said Section 205 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA 2021), which established NNPC Limited, stipulated that petroleum prices were determined by unrestricted free market forces.

    He said that the NNPC Ltd. has about 1,000 fuel stations nationwide and was collaborating with marketers to ensure that stations opened early and close late to maintain adequate fuel supply to meet the needs of Nigerians.

    “We are also engaging relevant authorities to ensure products diversions are prevented and timely deliveries to all stations are ensured. The scarcity should ease in the next few days as more stations recalibrate and begin operations.

    “The market has been deregulated, meaning that petrol prices are now determined by market forces rather than by the government or NNPC Ltd. Additionally, the exchange rate plays a significant role in influencing these prices,” he said

    On the commencement of lifting PMS from the Dangote Refinery, Segun said that the NNPC Ltd. was awaiting the September 15 timeline provided by the refinery.

  • FG to begin crude oil sales to Dangote in Naira October

    FG to begin crude oil sales to Dangote in Naira October

    The Federal Government says it will begin crude oil sales in Naira to Dangote Refinery and others in October.

    This is according to a statement by the Director Press and Public Relations, Federal  Ministry  of  Finance and Economic Planning,  Mr Mohammed Manga in Abuja on Monday.

    Manga said that the inaugural meeting the implementation committee to fast track the transaction was presided over by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy,  Wale Edun.

    “The Minister presided over a crucial meeting of the implementation committee on crude oil sales in Naira today.

    “It is a significant step towards ensuring the speedy realisation of the presidential directive on crude oil sales in Naira with a view to enhancing Nigeria’s economic growth and development,” he said.

    He said that the committee reviewed progress on key initiatives, including the upcoming commencement of Naira payments for crude oil sales to the Dangote Refinery starting from Oct. 1.

    According to him,  key roles were outlined for stakeholders, including the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA),  the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    He said that the  Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank).were  also. assigned roles to ensure smooth implementation.

    “Updates on the Port Harcourt and Dangote Refineries were also provided, with significant production increases expected from November,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Edun said that the transaction  would mark a significant milestone in country’s economic transformation.

    He emphasised the need for transparency and directed the Technical Sub-Committee to finalisr details as well as prepare a report for the president, confirming that his directives were on track for implementation from September.

    “With the implementation committee’s progress, Nigeria is poised to witness a seamless transition to Crude Oil Sales in Naira.

    “The collaboration among stakeholders, including regulatory bodies and financial institutions, will ensure a transparent and efficient implementation process.

    “As the country moves towards this significant economic milestone, the impact on Nigeria’s growth and development is expected to be profound, setting a new standard for economic prosperity,”  he said.

    Dr Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and Chairman of the Technical Sub-Committee, reported that the first Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) delivery from Dangote is expected in September.

  • FG reveals oil revenue growth of 30% in 2024

    FG reveals oil revenue growth of 30% in 2024

    The Federal Government says Nigeria’s oil revenue grew from 11 per cent in the first half of 2023 to 30 per cent in the first half of 2024.

    This is contained in a statement by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun on Friday, in Abuja.

    According to the minister, the growth in government revenue is due to the reconfiguration and improvement in government finances.

    “The government’s determination to mobilise non-oil revenue has consistently delivered impressive results.

    “For the half-year 2024, non-oil revenue surpassed the revenue in the first half of 2023 by 30 per cent above the 2024 budget target without any increases in taxes,” he said.

    On debt, Edun said that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has been working to manage and reduce the national debt to create better fiscal headroom for economic management.

    “In dollar term, Nigeria’s debt burden has reduced and the government’s fiscal deficit has improved. Our debt has fallen in dollar terms from 108 billion to 91 billion dollars.

    “Additionally, the government has diligently serviced all its loans and obligations with no recourse to ways and means of financing, ‘’ Edun said.

    Edun said in 2023, the administration exited the Ways and Means debt trap due to better management of the fiscal space.

    He said the federal government did not rely on borrowing from the CBN Ways and Means to fund its obligations.

    According to Edun, part of the inflationary pressure the country is currently experiencing is as a result of the past abuse of Ways and Means.

    He said the federal government paid back the previous N7.3 trillion obligations within a year of Tinubu’s administration.

    On Debt Service to Revenue, the minister said the Federal Government for decades, had been spending more than half of its revenue on debt servicing.

    He said this was done to enable it meet its debt obligations to avert any form of default.

    “By the end of June 2023, the federal government spent 97 per cent of total revenue to service debt, but has recorded a positive trend in the debt service-to-revenue ratio.

    “Currently, the debt service-to-revenue ratio has declined from 97 per cent in the first half of 2023 to 68 per cent in 2024.

    “Indicating the government’s strong position in managing its debt obligations,” the minister said.

    On Budget Deficit, he said it had been a major priority for the economic managers to reduce the budget deficit.

    “To achieve this, the federal government, in the last year of the Tinubu administration, improved government revenue collection and blocked a lot of leakages.

    “The 2024 budget deficit has moved in the right direction, with a target of 4.1 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), an improvement from the 6.1 per cent deficit recorded in 2023.

    “On an annualised basis, we are at 4.4 per cent, so you can see we are effectively close to the budgetary target,” Edun said.

    The minister said the government’s efforts to attract more foreign inflows into the economy had continued to yield good outcomes.

    He expresses the government’s commitment to continue the reforms and improve business environment to engender further confidence.

    Edun underscored government’s efforts to attract foreign inflows; including implementing the national single window project, which he said would generate 2.7 billion dollars annually in economic benefits.

    He said:” the government’s accelerated stabilisation and advancement plan has already attracted 500 million dollars in investment in the gas sector.

    The minister said the government had implemented several initiatives and interventions to address the current high cost of living and bring relief to the masses.

    Edun said this included a strategic input programme to increase the supply of food, a pivot to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fuel for mass transit vehicles.

    He said the government was also providing lower-cost financing for the manufacturing industry and production.

    The minister sympathised with Nigerians for the current hardship, which he also noted would soon blow away.

    He expressed optimism that inflation, in spite being “quite sticky at the moment,” would decelerate and come down due to the government’s commitments and actions.

    “Clearly, as part of the reform programme, on the monetary side, monetary policy has been tightened.

    “The CBN has been proactive in adjusting the monetary policy rate to address inflation head-on, which is in line with its legal mandate,” he said.

  • FG laments over dip in oil production

    FG laments over dip in oil production

    Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Oil), has called for more investments in the oil and gas industry to ramp up production and boost foreign exchange earnings.

    Lokpobiri made the call on Tuesday at the Nigerian Oil and Gas (NOG) Energy Week currently holding in Abuja.

    The country has over 37.5 billion barrels of proven crude oil reserves and 209 trillion cubic feet (tcf) and 600 tcf of proven and contingent gas reserves respectively.

    The Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG) says Nigeria finds itself in a situation where its daily production has significantly dropped to about 1.3 million barrels of oil and 8.5 bcf of gas.

    Lokpobiri, in an opening address, who blamed the development on lack of drilling investments in the sector, disclosed that efforts were ongoing to change the narrative by attracting more investments into the sector.

    “We have been working hard to ramp up production. The overall objective is to increase production.

    “It is when we ramp up production that we will be able to get the required forex inflow into the country, get money to fund budget, and satisfy energy demand.

    “But you can only increase production by way of increasing investments,” Lokpobiri said.

    Mr Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Gas), in an address, said the Ministry had been instrumental in implementing reforms that made Nigeria an attractive destination for investors.

    He said the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 and the recent Presidential Directive for Oil and Gas Companies on Tax Incentives, Exemption, Remission, among others by President Bola Tinubu, created a conducive environment for investment.

    “The regulatory frameworks now in place incentivise investment, streamline bureaucratic processes, and provide clarity on fiscal terms”, he noted.

    Earlier, the Chairman, IPPG, Mr Abdulrazaq Isa, had sought for measures by all relevant stakeholders to address the dwindling production level and under-investment in the oil and gas industry.

    He said that in spite of the nation’s world hydrocarbon resource base, with over 37 billion barrels of proven crude oil reserves and 207 tcf and 600 tcf of proven and contingent gas reserves respectively, daily production had dwindled.

    He expressed worry that daily production had significantly dropped and stood at about 1.3 million barrels of oil and 8.5 bcf of gas today.

    “This is way below our capacity as a nation and by all globally acceptable standards, this reserves to production ratio is extremely low and a clear indicator that the industry is in a dire situation”.

    NNPC Ltd declares state of emergency on oil, gas production

    Meanwhile, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) Ltd has declared a state of emergency on production in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

    The NNPC Ltd has also called on all players in the industry to collaborate towards reducing the cost of oil production and boosting production to target levels.

    Malam Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Ltd, made this known in Abuja, on Tuesday at the ongoing 23rd edition of the Nigeria Oil & Gas (NOG) Conference and Exhibition holding from June 30 to July 4.

    “We have decided to stop the debate. We cannot afford to negotiate further, we have declared war on the challenges affecting our crude oil production.

    “Our biggest interest is to produce more oil and gas in spite of oil theft and other challenges.

    “We have the right tools. We know what to fight. We know what we have to do at the level of assets. We have engaged our partners and we will work together to improve the situation,” he said.

    Kyari said a detailed analysis of assets revealed that Nigeria could conveniently produce two million barrels of crude oil daily without deploying new rigs, but decried the inability of players to act in a timely manner as major impediment.

    He said obstacles to effective and efficient production such as delays in procurement processes and old pipeline network were affecting the industry.

    He said NNPC Ltd. would replace all the old crude oil pipelines built over four decades ago and introduce a rig sharing programme with its partners to ensure that production rigs stayed in the country.

    This, he said, would be a medium to long-term measures aimed at boosting and sustaining production.

    He expressed commitment to investing in critical midstream gas infrastructure such as the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) and the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipelines to boost domestic gas production and supply for power generation.

    On Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Kyari said that NNPC Ltd. had keyed into the Presidential CNG Initiative drive.

    He said in conjunction with partners such as NIPCO Gas, NNPC Ltd. had built a number of CNG stations, 12 of which would be commissioned on Thursday in Lagos and Abuja.

    The Secretary-General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), Mr Mohamed Hamel, in an address, also advocated for natural gas infrastructure and penetration for energy stability and security.

  • We are not aware Dangote refinery imports crude oil from abroad – FG

    We are not aware Dangote refinery imports crude oil from abroad – FG

    The Federal Government of Nigeria has explained that  it was unaware that Dangote Refinery imports its crude oil from the United States of America.

    Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) has noted that the country is blessed with enough crude to supply all the refineries in the country, including the modular ones.

    The Minister made  this known  in Abuja on Thursday at the Ministerial Sectoral Updates as part of activities to mark President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s one year in office.

    The first session of the Sectoral Briefing was attended by the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu; Minister of FCT, Mr. Nyesom Wike; Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Ibrahim Bio; Minister of State for FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmud; Minister of State Petroleum, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri and Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande.

    “I’m not aware that Dangote Refinery has started importing crude oil from the US. That’s the reason why we’re talking about an increase in production.

    “That’s why we’re talking to servicing companies to come back and start drilling. The only way we can increase production is to continue drilling…” He stated.

    Speaking on the rumours that the Tinubu administration still pays fuel subsidy, he added, “On the issue of subsidy, all of us know that from the first day the President took over office he said subsidy is gone.

    “And I can confirm to you today that the subsidy is gone. But the point is, all over the world, governments find a way to subsidise. It may not be fuel but may be food … there’s no responsible government that will not find a way to ameliorate the suffering of its citizens. But pls I want it to be official that there’s no subsidy for fuel as of today.”

  • Nigeria’s oil production nearing 1.7 million barrels per day – NNPC boss, Kyari

    Nigeria’s oil production nearing 1.7 million barrels per day – NNPC boss, Kyari

    Mele Kyari the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, has said that Nigeria’s Crude oil production is nearing 1.7 million barrels per day.

    The NNPC boss made this known in his address as a stakeholder at an engagement between the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists and the NNPCL in Lagos.

    Kyari noted that the, the 1.7 million barrels per day was a boost from 1.28 million barrels reported in April.

    According to him, the nation’s crude oil production keeps dropping due to oil theft and vandalism, emphasising the need to fight insecurity in the oil and gas sector to increase production.

    “How do you increase oil production? Remove the security challenge we have in our onshore assets. As we all know, the security challenge is real. It is not just about theft, it is about the availability of the infrastructure to deliver the volume to the market.

  • First crude oil flows from OML 13 in historic milestone

    First crude oil flows from OML 13 in historic milestone

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Exploration and Production Limited (NNPC E&P Ltd.) and Natural Oilfield Services Ltd. (NOSL) have announced the successful commencement of oil production at Oil Mining Lease (OML) 13 in Akwa Ibom State.

    The NNPC E&P Ltd. is an NNPC Ltd’s flagship upstream subsidiary, while NOSL is a subsidiary of Sterling Oil Exploration & Energy Production Company Ltd (SEEPCO).

    Mr Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd., made this known in a statement on Sunday.

    Soneye said the production, which commenced on May 6 with 6,000 barrels of oil would ramp up to 40,000 barrels per day by May 27, 2024.

    “The first oil flow from OML 13 is a historic milestone in the partnership between NNPC E&P Ltd and NOSL.

    “It highlights their dedication to driving growth and development in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, which remains a vital component of the nation’s economy,” he said.

    Soneye said the achievement did not only signify the culmination of rigorous planning and execution by the teams involved, but also represented a new era of economic empowerment and development opportunities for the host communities.

    Furthermore, for Nigeria, the first oil from OML 13 holds some significance as it contributes to the country’s efforts to increase its oil production capacity, which is crucial for meeting domestic energy needs and driving economic growth.

    The NNPC E&P Ltd and NOSL partnership is also committed to operating in a manner that is safe, environmentally responsible, and beneficial to the local communities.

  • Ghanaian vessel stealing Nigeria’s crude oil arrested with 13 crew members

    Ghanaian vessel stealing Nigeria’s crude oil arrested with 13 crew members

    The Nigerian Navy (NN), says the teams operating under Operation Delta Sanity, have captured a Ghanaian Vessel, with 13 crew members for alleged crude oil theft.

    It said the crew comprised of one Ghanaian and 12 Nigerians on board the Ghanaian-owned and registered vessel known as Motor Tanker (MT) SWEET MIRI.

    This is contained in a statement by the Director of Information, Navy, Rear Adm. Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, on Monday in Abuja.

    Ayo-Vaughan said the operation was conducted on Feb. 25 at about 174 nm (approximately 320km) off Nigeria’s coast,  heading toward Benin Republic, after the vessel was observed to have switched off her Automatic Identification System (AIS) in a bid to evade detection.

    He said the infraction by the vessel contravened the International Ships and Port Security Code (ISPS) and was tagged a “Vessel of Interest” (VoI) by the Nigeria navy.

    According to him, the navy Maritime Domain Awareness infrastructure observed the criminal intent of the vessel and subsequently vectored two NN ships on patrol to interrogate the vessel.

    “It was discovered that MT SWEET MIRI was involved in illegalities and the vessel was subsequently arrested.

    “Curiously, the suspicious disposition of the vessel necessitated the swift deployment of Nigerian navy Ship ABA and Nigerian navy ship SOKOTO to intercept the vessel.

    “Notably, upon arrest, MT SWEET MIRI was found carrying about two million litres of product suspected to be crude oil without any form of approval from relevant authorities,” he said.

    Ayo-Vaughan said the relevant approving/prosecuting agencies had been notified for samples collection with a view to further ascertaining the culpability or otherwise of the vessel.

    This, he said, was in line with the directive of Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, for an in-depth and independent investigation, adding that it was necessary to unmask the enemies of the nation and to institute holistic and detailed investigations.

    He assured that the navy, through the reinvigorated Operation Delta Sanity would continue to collaborate with relevant maritime, security, and law enforcement agencies to closely monitor, evaluate, and interdict where infractions were suspected.

    This, according to him, is to bring economic saboteurs to book in line with relevant extant laws of the land.

  • Navy impounds N1.05bn worth of crude oil in 1 week

    Navy impounds N1.05bn worth of crude oil in 1 week

    The Nigerian Navy (NN) says the troops of Operation Delta Sanity have intercepted 4,036.7 barrels of crude oil and 270,600 litres of illegally refined AGO, valued N1.05 billion from oil thieves in one week.

    The Director of Naval Information, Rear Adm. Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja on the operations conducted by the navy between Jan. 29 and Feb. 4.

    Ayo-Vaughan said the operations also led to the deactivation of 40 wooden boats, 55 illegal refining ovens, 49 reservoirs, 27 dugout pits and 19 illegal refining sites.

    According to him, the various NN platforms deployed for the operation have continued to conduct aggressive patrols to combat oil theft within Nigeria’s maritime environment.

    The navy spokesman said the Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER, in conjunction with three Naval Security Stations, on Jan. 29 conducted reconnaissance operations around Elem Krakrama Creek and Ke in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers.

    He said the team intercepted six wooden boats laden with about 600 litres of products suspected to be stolen AGO and 566 barrels of product suspected to be stolen crude oil.

    He said that the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Formoso, on the same day, conducted operation around Brass River, Akassa, Obama in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa as well as Nembe and Southern Ijaw.

    “During the operations, the team discovered four illegal refining sites, five ovens and two pumping machines.

    “They also arrested five wooden boats laden with about 704.4 barrels (112,000 litres) of products suspected to be stolen crude oil and the sites and items were dismantled while the products were handled appropriately.

    “Also, on Jan. 29, FOB Escravos in Delta  conducted anti crude oil theft operations around Saghara Creek in Warri South Local Government Area.

    “During the operation, the team visited a previously deactivated illegal refining site which was observed to be under reconstruction and had one empty reservoir and five dug out pits,” he said.

    Ayo-Vaughan said the NNS SOROH in Bayelsa in conjunction with naval station 030 and Ocean Marine Solution Houseboat Peremebiri, also conducted operations around Ogbotobo and Fish Camp Community in Atala area of Bayelsa between Jan. 29 and Feb. 2.

    He said the team discovered a vandalised flowline station belonging to Shell Petroleum Development Company which was recently reactivated.

    According to him, the team also found a newly constructed illegal refining site with two pumping machines, three generators, galvanised pipes, 50 kg gas cylinder, and other construction items.

    He added that the team also found one wooden boat laden with sacks of about 19,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen AGO, adding that the boat was safely deactivated.

    According to him, on Jan. 30, Naval Base Oguta in Imo conducted an operation and discovered one fibre boat laden with about 7.5 barrels (1,200 litres) of product suspected to be stolen crude oil.

    “Furthermore, from Jan. 30 to Feb. 2, Naval Flying Unit, Port Harcourt conducted aerial surveillance at Abonnema, Temakiri, Aiya Abissa, Ke, Krakrama Tuma, Samkiri, Ukwa West, Ikwuriator, Imo River and Aba River.

    “During surveillance, the team sighted various  illegal refining sites and wooden boats laden with unspecified quantity of illegally refined AGO in numerous numbers suspected to have been siphoned from a nearby wellhead.

    “Accordingly, the incident was reported to relevant Units for appropriate action,” he added.

    Oil theft: Security outfit apprehends vessel laden with 88,000 litres of stolen crude

    The Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSL), has apprehended a vessel, MT Habour Spirit laden with an estimated 88,000 litres of stolen products suspected to be crude oil.

    Capt. Warriedi Enisuoh, eExecutive Director, Operations and Technical of TSSL disclosed this to newsmen on Tuesday in Oporoza, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta.

    Enisuoh said that the ship was apprehended at the early hours on Sunday in Bayelsa and conveyed to Oporoza.

    According to him, the vessel with IMO Number: 8226272 was caught while loading crude oil from the Segana Oil Field in the coast of Bayelsa.

    Enisuoh said that TSSL in synergy with the other government security agencies, had been on the trail of the vessel for some months before its final arrest.

    “Immediately we found it loitering on Sunday about 1:00 am, we swung into action and discovered that it tapped into one of the oil platforms loading crude oil.

    “We arrested the ship with 12 crew and three community persons on board the vessel,” he said.

    This was the second vessel the private security outfit had arrested within three weeks.

    Enisuoh said  that few weeks ago, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa gave a strict instruction on how to deal with crude oil theft.

    “One of his watch words is that we are working in synergy with the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Army, the Police, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Department of State Service.

    “What we are seeing today is the result of the instruction which was  supported by the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla that  led to the arrest,” he said.

    Enisuoh said that the vessel was a Moldovian registered while the crew were Nigerians.

    He said that the ship had been specifically monitored by the Nigerian Navy and officials of the TSSL.

    “We appreciate the synergy and cooperation we have with the security forces particularly the supports from the CDS and CNS.

    “More of the arrest is taking place in Bayelsa probably because the perpetrators have found a porous ground.

    “Probably the synergy between TSSL and the military has pushed them out of the land, though not totally eroded of the problem in the land,” he said.

    Speaking with newsmen, the captain of the ship, Mr Shittu Joseph, said that they were15 crew and three of them jumped into the sea.

    According to him, those that jumped into the sea had not been found.

    He said that the vessel belongs to Joju Oil and Gas based in Lagos State.

    “We were instructed to go and load sludge and crude oil from a barge. On our way going, they told us that one person will come on board..

    “We were not pleased with the arrangement, we wanted to leave but while waiting for a boat to  take us away, the NSCDC and TSSL officials came to arrest us,” he said.

    In his remark, CSP Omar Sini, the Head of Investigation, Police Taskforce on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering, said investigation had since begun.

    He said that the outcome of the investigation would be made public through the office of the Force Public Relations Officer in Abuja.

    “A Robust investigation will be conducted to track the actual culprits behind the crime,” Sini said.

  • How Navy saved Nigeria over 91 thousand barrels of crude in 2023

    How Navy saved Nigeria over 91 thousand barrels of crude in 2023

    A former Commandant of the Navy War College, Rear Admiral Murtala Bashir (rtd.), says the Nigerian Navy’s onslaught against oil thieves saved the nation 91,725.26 barrels of crude oil in 2023.

    Bashir made the disclosure in a paper he presented at the inauguration of the Naval Warfare Course 8 in Calabar on Monday.

    He spoke on the topic, “Operational Level Warfare: Imperatives for Training and Command in the Nigerian Navy”.

    He said that this was against 889,890 barrels that were saved from thieves between January and December 2022.

    According to Bashir, the economic saboteurs were also denied 513,350 litres of Kerosene in 2023 alone.

    He further said that 351 illegal refining sites, 630 storage tanks and 315 wooden boats were deactivated within the same period.

    He said that 78 suspects, 35 vessels and 13 trucks were arrested between January and December 2023.

    While commending the Navy for the feat, he said that more action was needed to reduce the activities of oil thieves to the barest level.

    “The aforementioned achievements and others were possible because most operational level commanders displayed sterling personal qualities, such as diligence, commitment, courage, knowledge, foresight, ability to take risks, ability to delegate authority and respect for subordinates, among others,” he said.

    Bashir also commended the Navy for delisting the country from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) list of High Risk Countries.

    “For so many years, Nigeria’s Maritime area was plagued by piracy with the area regarded as a High Risk Area, alongside the gulf of Aden and other notorious areas by the IMO.

    “It is noteworthy to say that the Flag Officer Commanding of the operational commands doubled his efforts by being proactive.

    “They invested more in intelligence and collaborating with other stakeholders, which led to the coordinated and sustained operations in their individual area of responsibilities with occasional overlaps.

    “Many of the pirates were arrested ashore, either while planning their operations or when they returned after operations,” he said.

    Bashir called for the optimisation of the operational level of Naval Warfare Training for the service to produce professional officers that would adequately translate strategic directives into precise tactical actions.

    “The officers will also be apolitical and more responsive to national security priorities.

    “They will be more efficient in the alignment and use of resources, uphold the law and respect human rights, thereby earning public trust, respect and confidence,” Bashir said.