Uche Cecil Izuora
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has assured of the Nigerian Navy’s support to crude oil-producing companies to enhance the protection of critical petroleum assets and increase Nigeria’s crude oil production output. The Chief of the Naval Staff stated this when he received a delegation of the Security Sub-Committee of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) led by the Chairman, Mr Johnson Ogbum, at Naval Headquarters, Abuja.
The engagement focused on strengthening security around oil production facilities, remote assets and export terminals, particularly to address crude oil theft, third-party interference and threats to offshore and near-shore infrastructure. The OPTS delegation also sought enhanced naval patrols in vulnerable maritime areas and appropriate security support for moving petroleum products.
Responding, Vice Admiral Abbas reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to securing the maritime environment and protecting critical national economic infrastructure. He noted that sustained naval operations have helped reduce crude oil theft and stressed that effective intelligence sharing between oil-producing companies and the Navy remains essential to anticipating threats and improving operational response.
The CNS also highlighted the importance of technology in strengthening maritime surveillance and patrol capabilities, while assuring the delegation that their requests for support would be considered based on identified security requirements and formal requests by affected organisations.
The engagement further reinforced the Nigerian Navy’s role in creating a secure maritime environment to increase crude oil production and protect critical infrastructure, while deepening cooperation with stakeholders in the oil and gas sector.