Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — In a move to safeguard Nigeria’s critical oil and gas infrastructure, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPC Ltd. and the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, have pledged to deepen collaboration in the fight against pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft.
Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, hosted the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, at the NNPC Towers in Abuja, where both leaders affirmed their commitment to bolstering national energy security.
“This renewed partnership is vital to curbing the economic sabotage that continues to threaten our oil assets and national revenue. Energy security is national security, and we welcome the Air Force’s strategic support in ensuring uninterrupted operations in the sector,” Engr. Ojulari stated.
Air Marshal Abubakar emphasized the military’s readiness to deploy intelligence, surveillance, and air support to protect oil infrastructure across the country.
“The Nigerian Air Force remains committed to working closely with NNPC to eliminate threats to our national energy lifelines. Our shared objective is to restore confidence in Nigeria’s energy systems and deter criminal elements undermining progress.”
The meeting underscores ongoing efforts by the federal government to strengthen inter-agency coordination in the face of persistent sabotage of oil pipelines, illegal refining activities, and crude oil theft; issues that have hampered Nigeria’s oil production target and revenue.
