Ojulari made the remarks on Monday at the opening of the Africa Chiefs of Defence Staff Conference in Abuja, attended by military leaders, top government officials, and representatives of continental and international organisations.
“Crude theft and its attendant illegal activities are by no means a purely localised occurrence. Rather, these operations involve specialised international syndicates that take advantage of gaps within the state, national, and continental security architecture,” Ojulari said. He stressed the need for stronger collaboration and synergy among African militaries to address the problem holistically.
While acknowledging the persistent challenge of crude theft and pipeline vandalism, especially in Nigeria’s Niger Delta, the NNPCL boss credited recent security efforts with restoring stability. He said security agencies and intelligence services had significantly improved protection of critical oil infrastructure.
“Today, I can proudly report to you all that our pipelines and terminals’ receipt of crude oil, which was somewhere as low as 20% to 30%, is now attaining close to 100% due to the support of security forces and intelligence agencies,” he said.
Ojulari emphasised that security is a critical pillar of the energy business, playing a vital role in ensuring national, regional, and continental energy security. He also called for continued forums like the Abuja conference to strengthen strategic cooperation in tackling threats to Africa’s energy resources.
Dignitaries present at the conference included Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Tinubu; United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed; Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; ECOWAS Commission President, Omar Touray; African Union Commission Chairperson, Mahamoud Youssouf; former UN envoy, Ibrahim Gambari; and FIRS Chairman, Zacch Adedeji.
