Navy links oil asset security to higher crude production

Tanya Davidson

Abuja — The Nigerian Navy has pledged to strengthen security support for oil producers, linking improved protection of petroleum assets to efforts to raise Nigeria’s crude oil production.

Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, made the commitment when he received the Security Sub-Committee of the Oil Producers Trade Section, OPTS, of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Naval Headquarters in Abuja.

The delegation, led by the committee’s Chairman, Johnson Ogbum, sought stronger naval cooperation to protect oil production facilities, remote assets and export terminals, according to the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho.

The engagement focused on 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 security support for the movement of petroleum products.

Responding, Abbas reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to securing Nigeria’s maritime environment and protecting critical petroleum infrastructure.

He said sustained naval operations had contributed to reducing crude oil theft, while stressing that intelligence sharing between oil companies and the Navy remained critical to identifying threats and improving responses.

The Chief of Naval Staff said closer cooperation between security agencies and oil and gas operators would strengthen the protection of petroleum assets and support increased crude oil production.

He also identified technology as an important tool for improving maritime surveillance and patrol capabilities.

Abbas assured the delegation that the Navy would consider requests for additional security support based on identified operational requirements and formal requests from affected organisations.

The engagement comes as oil producers seek stronger protection for infrastructure spanning production areas, offshore facilities and export routes, with the Navy positioning enhanced security cooperation as part of the broader effort to sustain petroleum operations and increase national crude output.

The meeting further reinforced cooperation between the Navy and oil industry stakeholders on threats affecting petroleum production, maritime infrastructure and the movement of oil products.