Rivers State Administrator Calls for Tougher Prosecution of Oil Thieves to Curb Economic Sabotage
Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, has called for the effective and stringent prosecution of oil thieves as a critical step toward ending the rampant economic sabotage plaguing Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
His remarks came during a strategic meeting with the Senate Committee on Incessant Crude Oil Theft, led by Senator Ned Nwoko, at the Government House in Port Harcourt.
The administrator stressed that crude oil theft directly undermines Nigeria’s economic survival, costing the country billions in lost revenue and crippling national development initiatives.
He warned that the current lenient treatment of offenders has emboldened criminal networks, worsening the crisis.
“Crude oil theft strikes at the heart of Nigeria’s economic survival, undermining President Bola Tinubu’s reforms to boost oil production and fund national infrastructure.
“We need decisive legal action that sends a strong message: there will be no room for economic sabotage under this administration,” Ibas stated.
Ibas outlined a multi-faceted approach by the Rivers State government to confront the issue. Key measures include:
• Improved Intelligence Gathering: Security agencies have ramped up surveillance and intelligence-sharing mechanisms to detect and prevent pipeline vandalism and illegal tapping operations.
• Enhanced Inter-Agency Collaboration: Rivers State is fostering closer coordination between federal and state security forces to create a unified front against oil theft.
• Community Engagement: Traditional rulers and local leaders are being enlisted to discourage youth involvement in oil theft and promote community-based vigilance.
• Technology-Driven Monitoring: Plans are underway to deploy digital surveillance over oil installations across the state, as well as to upgrade Port Harcourt’s “Safe-City” architecture to enhance real-time monitoring and rapid response.
“Our goal is a secure, tech-driven monitoring framework to safeguard national assets and significantly boost legitimate oil output,” Ibas said.
In response, Senator Ned Nwoko, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Incessant Crude Oil Theft, assured that the National Assembly is committed to breaking the backbone of theft networks—both onshore and offshore.
“A large portion of these operations occur beyond the shores of Nigeria in international waters.
“We are committed to identifying those involved, dismantling their networks, and restoring credibility to Nigeria’s oil industry,” Nwoko explained.
The Senate Committee, established three months ago, is tasked with investigating oil theft and proposing sustainable solutions to sanitize the sector.
It has since embarked on nationwide consultations, with Rivers State considered a focal point due to its strategic role in the oil economy.
Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, loses an estimated $2 billion annually to crude oil theft, according to government data.
The situation has not only hampered oil revenue but also discouraged foreign investment in the sector.
By pushing for stronger legal measures and modern security frameworks, Ibas hopes to transform Rivers State into a model of resource protection and economic integrity.
“We are ready to partner with the Federal Government and all stakeholders to protect our national assets.
“The time for excuses is over — we must act decisively to secure Nigeria’s future,” he concluded.
