Oil Theft: How Security Agents Connive With Criminals, Ex-Naval Commander Tells Reps

• Rear Admiral Suleiman Apochi revealed that oil theft involves collaboration among industry operators, corrupt security agents, and criminal sponsors
• He emphasized that insider knowledge is crucial for stealing oil, as high pipeline pressure makes unauthorized breaches extremely dangerous

Rear Admiral Suleiman Apochi, a retired naval officer and former commander of Operation Delta Safe, has revealed to the House of Representatives Committee investigating oil theft that the crime is a complex enterprise involving the collaboration of three main entities.

Speaking before the committee on Friday, Apochi explained that the criminal network consists of official operators in the industry, corrupt security agents, and sponsors of the criminals stealing petroleum products. He asserted that crude oil could not be stolen from the nation’s export pipeline without cooperation among these three groups.

Apochi noted that insider information is crucial for these criminal activities, as the pressure in the pipelines is high enough to kill anyone attempting to breach them without proper knowledge. He explained that criminals typically breach the pipes when there is no pressure or flow and return to siphon oil during flows.

He emphasized that corrupt security agents cover these operations, as they are responsible for maintaining 24-hour surveillance on the pipelines. He said, “The flow pressure on the lines is usually very high, and nobody can afford to take crude illegally from the pipelines when there is crude on the line. It can only happen when there is no crude, and only one set of persons will be aware when the pipeline is dry.”

Apochi implicated industry operators and sponsors working with criminal gangs, asserting that security agents should be guarding the pipelines but often fail to do so. “Security agents are part of this arrangement because they are supposed to keep vigil on these lines throughout the day. But we have vessels coming to the pipelines, stopping, taking crude unchallenged, and leaving without anyone challenging them,” he added.

During his tenure as commander of Operation Delta Safe, Apochi said he increased Nigeria’s crude oil production from about 900,000 barrels per day to approximately 1.5 million barrels per day. He attributed this success to his efforts in dismantling criminal gangs and destroying vessels involved in crude oil theft. He insisted that ending crude oil theft requires ensuring that no one is above the law and that those arrested are prosecuted.

The Department of State Services (DSS), represented by Deputy Director of Operations, Abdulkadir Salisu, recommended strengthening existing laws to ensure prompt prosecution of those involved in oil theft.

Chairman of the special committee, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, assured that the committee would use all legislative tools available to protect the oil industry from massive losses caused by criminals. He emphasized the committee’s commitment to collaborating with global partners, leveraging advanced technologies, and enhancing security measures to combat and eliminate crude oil theft in the hydrocarbon value chain.