IG Condemns Rising Oil Theft, Appoints New Commander for Petroleum Taskforce

Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, strongly denounced the rampant destruction of pipelines and oil theft across the nation.

Egbetokun, in a decisive move on Thursday, appointed Deputy Commissioner of Police, Bayonle Sulaiman, to lead the Inspector-General of Police Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering.

In a statement issued on Thursday by the Police spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, the IG highlighted that the criminal actions of oil thieves have not only led to substantial financial losses but also inflicted grievous environmental harm on our land.

Adejobi said, “The IG in his continuous effort to combat pipeline vandalism and oil theft, has appointed Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Bayonle Kafar Sulaiman, as the new Commanding Officer in charge of the IGP-STFPIB.

“The new Commander, who has exhibited his prowess in similar task force operations, was previously Squadron Commander, Police Mobile Force 20, Lagos. As Commanding Officer of the IGP-STFPIB, the IGP has ordered him to lead the task force on the mission to combat illegal activities in the petroleum industry, including oil theft, illegal bunkering and pipeline vandalism.

“The Inspector-General of Police has also condemned in serious terms the trend of oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and illegal bunkering which pose significant threats to the environment, economy, and energy security. He emphasized that these illegal activities not only result in significant financial losses but also devastating environmental consequences, including oil spills, pollution, and habitat destruction. “

Adejobi passionately stated that the IG had directed the newly appointed commander to suppress the nefarious activities of the oil thieves swiftly.

He said, “He orders the Commander to hold firmly the reins of the office and ensure deterrence by prosecuting all individuals found culpable, and deploy his assets to prevent economic sabotage in the upper and downstream of our oil sector in Nigeria.

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“The IGP further appeals to all relevant stakeholders in the oil industry and well-meaning Nigerians to work hand-in-hand with the Police and other security agencies to collectively curb this menace and share credible intelligence with security agencies to expose any untoward plans promoting this crime and others alike in the country. “

The IG’s action follows a meeting between security and intelligence leaders and Mele Kyari, the Group Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, just two days ago.

Kyari mentioned that President Bola Tinubu instructed Gen Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, to swiftly address oil theft and vandalism in the Niger Delta region.

The PUNCH