In a bid to combat the rampant pipeline vandalism and oil theft plaguing the nation, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has appointed a new commander to lead the special task force tackling these crimes.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Bayonle Sulaiman will head the Inspector-General of Police Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering, tasked with curtailing illegal activities in the petroleum industry.
In a statement on Thursday by the Force Spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, the IG stated that the illegal activities of oil thieves had caused not only significant financial losses but also severe environmental damage.
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 said the IG ordered the newly appointed commander to curtail the activities of the oil thieves.
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.
“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 move by the IG comes two days after security and intelligence heads met with the Group Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari.
Kyari had said that President Bola Tinubu had given a marching order to the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher Musa, to curb oil theft and vandalism in the Niger Delta region within the shortest possible time.
