By Isaac Olufemi Ojo
The House of Representatives Special Committee on Crude Oil Theft has intensified its push for the establishment of a special court dedicated to the trial of saboteurs and oil thieves, citing the devastating impact of their activities on the nation’s socio-economic development and national security.
This call formed the crux of a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the committee in Abuja, as part of a strategic series of engagements aimed at proffering lasting solutions to the menace of crude oil theft in the country.
Addressing the gathering, the Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Alhassan Doguwa, underscored the urgent need for a robust legislative review. According to him, existing laws, many of which date back to the military era, have become obsolete and serve as a “slap on the wrist” for perpetrators.
“Tackling these criminals requires a comprehensive review of our existing legislation to ensure that penalties are commensurate with the gravity of these offences,” Doguwa stated. “The current, weak legal framework has only emboldened criminals, as the prescribed penalties are too lenient to deter repeat offenders.”
Representing the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Director of Energy Security at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Goodluck Ilajufi, noted a paradigm shift in how the government perceives oil losses. He explained that while many previously attributed the losses largely to ageing infrastructure and pipeline degradation, it is now clear that deliberate sabotage is a primary driver.
Echoing the Chairman’s sentiment, the Assistant Commandant General (Operations) of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), David Idowu, identified weak legislation as the biggest hurdle in the fight against oil theft. He advocated for the immediate creation of a special court to ensure swift and decisive prosecution of those sabotaging the nation’s economic lifeline.
Also lending his voice to the conversation, CSP Idris Abdullahi Mohammed of the Nigeria Police Force’s Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering Prevention Unit reiterated the Force’s commitment to the cause. He emphasized that the Police are fostering active collaboration with sister security agencies and relevant stakeholders to root out sabotage within the oil and gas sector.
