Oil theft networks shield real beneficiaries – Naval chief

By Philip Nwosu

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has revealed that the principal actors behind crude oil theft in Nigeria, often remain beyond the reach of law enforcement agencies, while those arrested during operations are mostly low-ranking workers with little knowledge of the criminal networks they serve.

Speaking during an interview on a national television programme on Friday, Abbas said the sophisticated structure of oil theft syndicates has made it increasingly difficult to identify and prosecute the real masterminds responsible for the illicit trade.

According to the Naval Chief, security operatives frequently encounter individuals working at illegal refining sites who are merely hired labourers earning minimal wages, while the major beneficiaries of the criminal enterprise remain concealed.

“Most of the faces behind these thefts are not really known or are not the ones we always catch. The ones we get at most of the illegal refinery sites are just being given some paltry sum, while the big masquerades are the ones that make the real money,” he said.

Abbas explained that the challenge extends to the prosecution stage, as many of those arrested are unable to provide useful intelligence on those funding or coordinating the illegal operations.

“In trying to prosecute some of these people that we get, some of them don’t even know who they are working for. So, the network is a very delicate one,” he added.

Despite the obstacles, the Naval Chief said the Nigerian Navy has continued to strengthen its operational strategies in response to the evolving methods employed by oil thieves.

He noted that technology has become a critical tool in the fight against crude oil theft, enabling security agencies to improve surveillance, intelligence gathering and monitoring of critical infrastructure.