Ibas: Prosecution of oil thieves essential to tackling economic sabotage

Ibok-Ete Ibas, sole administrator of Rivers state, has called for the effective prosecution of oil thieves to curb the rampant economic sabotage crippling Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

In a statement on Friday, Hector Igbikiowubo, senior special adviser, media, Rivers state government, said Ibas spoke while hosting the senate committee on incessant crude oil theft, led by its chairman, Ned Nwoko, at the government house in Port Harcourt.

Ibas said weak punishment for offenders emboldens criminality, depriving the nation of critical revenue needed for development.

“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,” he said.

Ibas said the committee’s mandate to investigate oil theft across producing states and terminals is commendable and expressed confidence in their recommendations to strengthen Nigeria’s economic base.

‘RIVERS STATE HAS REDUCED PIPELINE VANDALISM’

Speaking further, he said Rivers state has made progress in reducing pipeline vandalism through improved intelligence gathering, inter-agency coordination, and structured engagements with traditional rulers and community stakeholders.

Ibas said the government plans to deploy digital surveillance systems over oil installations and enhance Port Harcourt’s “Safe-City” security architecture.

“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,” he said.

To tackle oil theft nationally, Ibas urged the senate committee to ensure strict prosecution of offenders, emphasising that convicted oil thieves should face deterrent penalties.

“Tamper-proof metering systems – Fix faulty metering, which accounts for 40 percent of oil losses,” he said.

“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.”

The chairman of the committee said they are resolved to identify and dismantle theft networks, both onshore and offshore.

“We need Rivers state’s support to end this menace,” he said.

Nwoko also said big-time thieves operate in international waters, adding, “we must collaborate to secure Nigeria’s resources”.