Senate President Godswill Akpabio has revealed that the National Assembly is considering stiffer penalties for crude oil theft, including the possibility of charging major offenders with terrorism.
Akpabio, who was represented by Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano North), made this known at the opening of a two-day public hearing on crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.
He emphasised the Senate’s resolve to protect Nigeria’s economic lifeline, stating, “We are prepared to strengthen laws, enhance oversight, and ensure that agencies responsible for protecting our oil assets are held accountable.”
Among the measures under consideration are the imposition of terrorism charges on key oil theft offenders, compulsory digital metering, and real-time monitoring of oil production and exports. These proposals are aimed at curbing the massive losses Nigeria suffers from crude oil theft, which continues to undermine national revenue.
