Army Vows to Tackle Oil Theft, Restore Nigeria’s 2mbpd Output
The Nigerian Army has reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying the fight against oil theft, with the goal of restoring Nigeria’s crude oil production to two million barrels per day (BPD).
Brigadier-General Alexander Tawasimi, Commander of the 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, based in Mbierebe, Akwa Ibom State, made this known while speaking to journalists. He described oil theft as a grave act of economic sabotage that threatens the nation’s revenue base.
“Oil production remains the backbone of Nigeria’s economy. It is imperative that we do our part to protect this sector and ensure oil activities proceed without disruption. This will translate into more revenue for governments at all levels to carry out their responsibilities,” he stated.
According to Brig.-Gen. Tawasimi, Akwa Ibom currently contributes about 1.2 million BPD to the national output. He emphasized that most of the state’s oil infrastructure is located offshore, making the Army’s role in securing onshore and coastal operations even more critical.
“What we are doing onshore is to create a safe and enabling environment for offshore operations to thrive. Our efforts are already yielding results, and we are determined to intensify them to ensure oil thieves have no breathing space,” he added.
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He further explained that while illegal bunkering remains a concern, the brigade is also addressing other security challenges such as kidnapping and communal clashes, especially in border areas with neighboring states.
“We are committed to doing everything within our power to ensure Nigeria achieves its target of two million barrels per day. The fight against oil theft is key to that goal,” he stressed.
Brig.-Gen. Tawasimi appealed to civil society and local communities to cooperate with security agencies by sharing intelligence that can help combat criminal activities on land and at sea. He said the military has strengthened its civil-military relations framework to foster mutual trust and support.
“No one should hesitate to approach us with credible information. We are here to protect lives, properties, and national assets,” he assured.
On the broader national security outlook, the commander noted that Nigeria’s battle against insurgency remains complex because it is not a conventional war.
He also issued a stern warning to military personnel who may be leaking intelligence to adversaries, stressing that such betrayal would attract the severest punishment, including the death penalty.
“The Army continues to educate its personnel on professionalism and national loyalty. We will not tolerate any compromise in our ranks,” Brig.-Gen. Tawasimi declared.
By PRNigeria
