The Nigerian Navy said it has drastically reduced crude oil theft from 2.5 million barrels in January to about 900,0000, barrels from June.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin, who made this known when he received the Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation(NNPC), Dr Joseph Dawha, in his office, said the rate of crude oil theft was high when he assumed office compared to what it is now.
He attributed the successes recorded in curbing crude oil theft to constant patrol and surveillance of the nation’s waterways
by the determination of Nigerian Navy in its fight agains crude oil theft, piracy, illegal refineries and fisheries, among other maritime crimes.
The CNS, while lamenting the dangers and consequences of crude oil theft and illegal refineries which he said could cause environmental pollution apart from depriving the nation of its revenue, however, assured: “We will continue to do our job until this theft is brought to an appreciable level to the extent that people will not show interest in it. The task is huge but it is surmountable”.
Earlier, in his address, Dr. dawha, had solicited for the assistance of the Navy to help tackle pipeline vandalism, crude and product theft and associated crimes of kidnapping/abduction of oil workers on the near shore, offshore and deep water.
He stressed the need to strengthen the close ties between the NN and NNPC for the socio-economic growth and stability of our fatherland, adding that peace and security are essential ingredients for the growth and prosperity of the nation.

Navy reduces crude oil theft from 2.5m barrels to 900,000