Crude oil theft in Nigeria is being driven by sophisticated international syndicates exploiting security gaps across the country, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has warned.

Speaking at the African Defence Chiefs Conference in Abuja, Bayo Ojulari, NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive Officer, said the scale of crude theft highlights the urgent need for stronger collaborations among African nations.

He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to working closely with Nigeria’s security and intelligence agencies to safeguard the country’s vital oil and gas sector.

The summit, which opened at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, brings together defence chiefs and security experts from across Africa to deliberate on strategies for addressing insurgency, terrorism, and cross-border crimes.

Themed “Combating Contemporary Threats to Regional and Security in Africa: The Role of Strategic Defence Collaboration,” the meeting sought to develop new partnerships with the private sector to support national and regional security needs.

Christopher Musa, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), underscored the importance of the gathering, noting that insurgents and criminal groups do not recognise borders in their operations.

“We must work as a team, as neighbours, to deal with these threats. This summit will help us develop strategies that can benefit us all; it is a win-win for every country involved,” he said.

Musa further explained that joint efforts are crucial in understanding each region’s challenges and solutions.

“It is important to come together to understand one another, because each regional bloc has its own security activities. By sharing what works and where the gaps are, we can strengthen our collective defence,” he said. (BusinessDay)