Oil theft: We didn’t indict NNPC – Navy

The Nigerian Navy has absolved the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) of any culpability in crude oil theft.

The menace has led to a humongous loss of revenue for the government and disturbingly polluted the operating environment. 

The Navy in a statement signed by the Director of Information, Commodore AO Ayo-Vaughan, dismissed a report stating otherwise.

The Navy said it was working closely with the national oil company to arrest and prosecute oil thieves and pipeline vandals, who have fractured the crude production process.  

Kogi NNPP candidate, 2 others charged with N1.4bn fraud

Protect our facilities, INEC begs Nigerians

The statement noted that what transpired at a recent interactive hearing before the Senate Committee on Economic and Financial Crimes was completely misconstrued by the report.

“The Navy representative at the Senate hearing repeatedly mentioned that the Navy is not indicting the NNPCL in any way and has been working with the national oil giant to curb the menace of crude oil theft since April 1, 2022, when Operation Dakatar Da Barawo (OPDDB) was launched in Onne, Rivers State, as a mutual effort and synergy between the Navy and NNPCL to address issues of crude oil theft, rampant illegal artisan refineries and illegal oil bunkering, amongst other criminalities in the creeks. 

“At the strategic level, almost daily and regular consultations, engagements and meetings are held between the Navy and NNPCL to review the situation, appraise the approach to curb the menace and proffer ways forward,” it noted.

“Pertinently, to attempt to imply otherwise will be a gross misrepresentation of the cordial and mutual working relationship between the two organisations.”