Why Oil Theft, Kidnapping Persist in Niger Delta – Badaru
Defence Minister Muhammed Badaru Abubakar has blamed the festering oil theft, illegal crude refining and kidnapping in the Niger Delta on proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
He noted that crude oil theft and illegal refining remain serious crimes against the economy, Nigeria and its citizenry.
Badaru dropped the hint in his keynote remarks at the opening of the 13th National Security Seminar 2024 organised by the Alumni Association of the National Defence College, in Abuja.
Speaking on the seminar theme: “Curbing oil theft and illegal crude oil Refining in Nigeria”, the minister emphasized the need for decisive action to combat crude oil theft, illegal refining and kidnappings in the oil-rich region.
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He said: “We must continue to broaden the use of appropriate technology in warfare to enhance our situation awareness and execution.
“These are essential to ensuring that life in the Niger Delta, especially the host communities, returned to normalcy.”
The minister, who commended President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to national security, acknowledged the sacrifices of the Nigerian military and other agencies in tackling insecurity in Nigeria.
He said the significant increase in crude oil production was as a result of the efforts of the Nigerian military, adding that the success was due to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on security of the nation.
The minister commended AANDEC for bringing the issues of security of the Niger Delta region to the forefront.
He said with these efforts the country would achieve the desired national objective of curtailing oil theft and improving its revenue.
