Scores of demonstrators on Wednesday stormed the National Assembly of Nigeria to protest crude oil theft and demand stronger pipeline security measures in the Niger Delta.
The protesters, under the banner of the Coalition of Civil Society for Economic Protection, marched to the complex chanting solidarity songs and displaying placards with inscriptions such as “Oil Thieves Are Conspiring Against Tantita” and “Say No to Oil Bunkering.”
Security operatives, including personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, prevented the group from accessing the premises.
The protest coincided with heightened legislative focus on oil theft, as lawmakers prepared for a parliamentary roundtable on pipeline security and crude oil losses.
Top government officials expected at the session include Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, Chief of Defence Staff Olufemi Oluyede, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
Also expected are the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Tosin Ajayi, Minister of Defence Christopher Musa, and Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Ikenga Ugochinyere.
Addressing journalists, the convener of the group, Tesleem Kolawole, urged lawmakers to objectively assess the performance of Tantita Security Services Limited in securing oil pipelines.
“The conversation around pipeline surveillance must be guided by results, because when national assets are secured, the economy benefits, communities stabilise, and young people gain real opportunities,” he said.
Kolawole noted that Nigeria’s oil production had reportedly rebounded to about 1.8 million barrels per day in November 2024, compared to previous lows of around 500,000 barrels per day before Tantita’s engagement in 2022.
He called for the consolidation of existing security frameworks rather than their disruption, emphasising the need for accountability, transparency and continuity in pipeline surveillance efforts.
Crude oil theft remains a major economic challenge in Nigeria, significantly impacting government revenue, oil production and security in host communities.
The outcome of the National Assembly’s deliberations is expected to influence future policies aimed at safeguarding the country’s oil infrastructure and curbing illegal bunkering activities.
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