Rear Admiral John Okeke, Commander of the Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta, on Thursday, attributed the rise in oil output from 1.2 million barrels per day in January to 1.84mbpd currently to the outcome of an intensified battle against oil theft.

Mr Okeke gave the figure during a review of the task force operations for the year 2024.

He said following a presidential order to increase oil production to 2.2mbpd, the chief defence staff authorised an intensified crackdown on oil thieves.

He explained that following a dip in oil output in the year’s second quarter, the joint task force launched a 90-day operation to restore oil and gas production to full capacity in the South-South and South-East geopolitical zones.

He explained that the operation was conducted in two phases, each lasting 45 days, adding that the operation ended on October 16 with remarkable successes resulting in major achievements.

Mr Okeke listed the results of the enhanced operations as a reduction in crude oil theft and illegal refining activities by about 85 per cent within the fourth quarter of 2024.

He also said the joint force also terminated about 95 per cent breaches on the Trans-Niger, Trans-Ramos and Trans-Escravos pipelines in the last three months and Key Performance Indicators of 89, 96 and 97 per cent in the Eastern, Western and Central Corridors, respectively, as of December 4.

Mr Okeke noted that with the increased crude oil output from 1.2mbpd on June 24 to 1.83 million bpd as of December 11, attaining the 2.2mbpd benchmark is achievable.

According to the JTF commander, the troops have commenced picketing facilities for suspected end-users of stolen crude and illegally refined products.

Mr Okeke also listed the busting of a four-man syndicate that has been producing fake documents since 2011 for the movement of stolen crude oil.

According to Mr Okeke, a total of 1,217 suspects in connection with various crimes were apprehended by the JTF code-named Operation Delta Safe within the period under review.

He said the OPDS also achieved enhanced community engagement and mediation between international oil companies and host communities, resolving about 98 CSR-related disputes involving Chevron, SEEPCO, SPDC, Aiteo, NECONDE, TotalEnergiex and Oando.

He explained that to sustain the gains, the OPDS advocates robust stakeholder support for the fight against oil theft and intensified intelligence sharing amongst security agencies.

Mr Okeke identified the need to extend security coverage to gas facilities, which were not targets of criminals, due to the emerging security threat of attacks on gas infrastructures.

He said that in the coming year, the force will deploy advanced technology through tactical drones to provide online real-time coverage of the activities in the JTF’s area of responsibility.

(NAN)