Ibok-Ete Ibas, sole administrator of Rivers state, has called for effective prosecution of oil thieves to curb the rampant economic sabotage affecting Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Gatekeepers News reports that this was disclosed in a statement on Friday by Hector Igbikiowubo, Senior Special Adviser on Media to the Rivers State Government.
Ibas made the remarks while receiving the Senate Committee on Crude Oil Theft, led by its chairman, Senator Ned Nwoko, at the Government House in Port Harcourt.
Ibas warned that lenient penalties for oil theft have emboldened criminal activities and continue to deprive the country of much-needed revenue for development.
He said, “Your presence here is both significant and timely. 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.”
Ibas praised the committee’s mandate to investigate oil theft across producing states and terminals and expressed confidence that their recommendations would help strengthen the nation’s economic foundation.
Ibas also highlighted the state’s efforts in curbing pipeline vandalism through improved intelligence gathering, inter-agency cooperation, and structured engagement with traditional rulers and community stakeholders.
The administrator revealed plans to deploy digital surveillance systems over oil installations and enhance Port Harcourt’s “Safe-City” security architecture.
He said, “As a major oil-producing state, we are committed to eliminating threats to production.”
“Our goal is a secure, tech-driven monitoring framework to safeguard assets and boost output.”
Ibas further urged the senate committee to ensure strict prosecution of offenders, emphasising that convicted oil thieves should face deterrent penalties.
He said, “Tamper-proof metering systems – Fix faulty metering, which accounts for 40 percent of oil losses.”
“Enhanced naval & security funding – strengthen the Nigerian Navy and maritime agencies.”
“Global surveillance investment – expand monitoring to backwaters and international waters, where large-scale theft occurs.”
Senator Nwoko, in his remarks, reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to dismantling oil theft networks both onshore and offshore.
He said, “We need Rivers state’s support to end this menace.”
The senator added that big-time thieves operate in international waters, adding that the government must collaborate to secure Nigeria’s resources.
