BYLINE CHARLES CHIJIOKE
The Senate Committee on Petroleum (Upstream) has rejected proposals to impose the death penalty for crude oil theft, insisting that Nigeria’s massive oil losses are driven by powerful criminal cartels and international syndicates rather than local youths in the Niger Delta.
The committee, chaired by Senator William Eteng (Cross River Central), reached the decision on Thursday while considering amendments to Nigeria’s anti-oil theft laws. Lawmakers instead called for tougher legislation, improved surveillance technology, stronger security, and greater involvement of host communities in protecting oil infrastructure.
Afrilensnews reports that senators argued that capital punishment would not address the root causes of crude oil theft and could end up punishing vulnerable youths while the real masterminds remain untouched.
Senator Victor Umeh urged the Federal Government to make oil-producing communities active partners in safeguarding pipelines through employment, infrastructure development, and corporate social responsibility programmes.
Lawmakers also maintained that while attention is often focused on illegal refiners in the creeks, the bulk of stolen crude is allegedly exported through highly organised criminal networks operating on the high seas.
“There are people stealing billions of naira worth of crude oil on the high seas. Those are the major culprits. Until we tackle them, we have done little to stop crude oil theft,” one senator said.
The committee also criticised the absence of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL)’s top management at the hearing. NNPCL’s Head of National Assembly Liaison Office, Umar Farouk, apologised, saying senior officials were on official assignments in the Niger Delta. However, lawmakers insisted that top executives must appear at future sessions.
Chairman William Eteng urged members not to blame the liaison officer, assuring the committee that the appropriate officials would attend subsequent hearings.
The senators unanimously opposed the death penalty, arguing that evidence does not show it effectively deters crime. They instead recommended full implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), greater investment in host communities, expanded employment opportunities, and the deployment of advanced technology to detect pipeline vandalism in real time.
The committee also proposed expanding the legal definition of crude oil theft to cover sophisticated offshore operations, ensuring those who finance and coordinate large-scale crude theft face prosecution.
At the end of the session, lawmakers agreed to continue consultations with stakeholders before finalising amendments aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s legal framework against crude oil theft while protecting the interests of host communities.
