Navy Backs Oil Producers with Stronger Security to Raise Crude Output
The Nigerian Navy has pledged to strengthen security support for oil-producing companies to protect critical petroleum assets and increase Nigeria’s crude oil production output.
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, made the commitment when he received a delegation of the Security Sub-Committee of the Oil Producers Trade Section of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Naval Headquarters in Abuja.
Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Naval Information in a statement released on Wednesday said the delegation, led by the committee’s Chairman, Mr Johnson Ogbum, sought enhanced security cooperation to protect oil production facilities, remote assets and export terminals.
The engagement focused on addressing crude oil theft, third-party interference and threats to offshore and near-shore petroleum infrastructure.
The oil producers also requested enhanced naval patrols in vulnerable maritime areas and appropriate security support for the movement of petroleum products.
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Responding, Abbas reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to securing the maritime environment and protecting critical national economic infrastructure.
The Chief of the Naval Staff said sustained naval operations had contributed to reducing crude oil theft, stressing that effective intelligence sharing between oil-producing companies and the Navy remained essential to anticipating threats and improving operational responses.
He noted that closer cooperation between security agencies and stakeholders in the oil and gas industry would help strengthen the protection of petroleum assets and support increased crude oil production.
Abbas also highlighted the importance of technology in improving maritime surveillance and patrol capabilities.
He assured the delegation that its requests for security support would be considered based on identified security requirements and formal requests submitted by affected organisations.
The engagement further reinforced the Nigerian Navy’s role in creating a secure maritime environment for oil production and protecting critical infrastructure.
It also provided an avenue for deepening cooperation between the Navy and stakeholders in the oil and gas sector, particularly in addressing threats affecting petroleum operations and the movement of oil products.
By PRNigeria
