Niger Delta Group Seeks EFCC’s Help To Tackle Oil Theft

The Community Development Committees (CDC) of Niger Delta Oil and Gas Producing Areas has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to help tackle crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta region.

The group, led by its Chairman, Joseph Ambakederimo, made the call during a courtesy visit to the Commission onTuesday.

Ambakederimo noted that oil theft in the Niger Delta has caused huge disruption to the country’s economic forecasts and negatively impacted the national economy.

He said: “Oil theft and vandalisation of oil infrastructure are issues of economic sabotage and a threat to national security.

“The EFCC is empowered by law to deal with economic saboteurs. We urge the Commission to give adequate attention to this threat to our environment in the Niger Delta and the economic sabotage of our country, by adopting preventive measures and diligent prosecution of culprits.”

The CDC Chairman also decried the involvement of oil-producing communities in oil theft.

He stressed that a national conference may be needed to address the issue.

Ambakederimo said: “Community involvement in oil theft should be a cause for worry to every patriotic Nigerian. The complicity and conspiracy of silence by well-meaning individuals is even more troubling.

“This menace at some point affects everyone. We advocate for a more robust national discourse on this existential threat of our time.”