The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has unveiled a new security framework for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry to strengthen the fight against crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, illegal refining and other criminal activities threatening the country’s petroleum assets.
The framework, known as the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry-Wide Security Architecture, is designed to harmonise security operations, establish clear responsibilities and improve collaboration among government security agencies, private surveillance contractors and other stakeholders.
Speaking at the official unveiling of the SOP, Ribadu said Nigeria’s hydrocarbon assets remained central to the country’s economic stability, national development and strategic resilience.
He said, “Yet, for too long, crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, illegal refining and associated criminality have undermined production, damaged the environment and threatened national security.”
According to him, the persistent challenges informed the need for a coordinated national framework built on clearly defined responsibilities, collaboration and operational discipline.
“It is against that backdrop that this SOP was developed,” Ribadu said, explaining that the document emerged from consultations among security institutions, industry operators, regulators and private surveillance contractors.
The NSA said the framework was developed through the collective efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, security and intelligence agencies, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), regulators, private surveillance contractors and other stakeholders.
He said the SOP was intended to strengthen collaboration, improve command and control, guide professional conduct and standardise procedures for security operations across the petroleum industry.
Specifically, the framework establishes procedures for surveillance, arrest, detention and the evacuation of recovered petroleum products, among other related operations.
Ribadu said the initiative was designed to improve coordination among the different actors responsible for securing Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure while ensuring that their activities were guided by established procedures.
Describing the document as an important operational instrument, he said, “This SOP is therefore not merely an administrative document.”
He added that it was “a practical instrument for enhancing synergy, reducing operational friction, promoting accountability and protecting critical national infrastructure connected to our hydrocarbon resources.”
The framework is expected to provide a common operational guide for security agencies and private contractors working to protect petroleum infrastructure, particularly in areas affected by crude oil theft, illegal refining and pipeline vandalism.
By defining procedures and clarifying operational responsibilities, the initiative seeks to reduce friction among participating institutions and promote a more coordinated approach to security operations.
Ribadu also said the SOP would help institutionalise gains recorded through the industry-wide security collaboration initiative and establish a durable framework for sustaining those achievements.
However, he stressed that the success of the framework would depend on how effectively its provisions were implemented by the relevant agencies, contractors and industry operators.
“The true value of this SOP will lie in its implementation,” the NSA said.
He consequently urged all participating institutions to ensure that the document’s provisions were communicated to their personnel and integrated into their respective operational structures.
“I, therefore, urge all agencies, operators and partners represented here to ensure full dissemination of its provisions to their respective commands, formations, field operatives and relevant personnel,” he said.
Ribadu further emphasised the importance of professionalism, information sharing and respect for the mandates of participating institutions in achieving the framework’s objectives.
“We must all remain committed to professionalism, information sharing, mutual respect for mandates and strict adherence to extant laws and established procedures,” he said.
The emphasis on compliance is significant because the framework involves multiple security agencies and private contractors operating within the same strategic industry. Consistent application of the prescribed procedures will be necessary to ensure accountability and effective coordination.
Crude oil theft, illegal refining and pipeline vandalism have remained major concerns for Nigeria because of their implications for petroleum production, government revenue, environmental protection and national security.
The activities also threaten critical infrastructure and can expose oil-producing communities to environmental damage and other associated risks.
The introduction of standardised procedures is intended to strengthen the coordination of security operations and provide clearer guidance on how incidents are handled, suspects detained and recovered petroleum products evacuated.
Ribadu expressed confidence that stronger cooperation among security agencies, industry operators and other stakeholders would improve the protection of Nigeria’s hydrocarbon resources.
He thanked the institutions and partners whose contributions made the development of the framework possible, describing their participation as an important milestone in efforts to strengthen security across the oil and gas industry.
He said the collective commitment of stakeholders would help advance the broader national objectives of increased petroleum production, environmental protection and economic recovery.
The NSA reiterated the need for all participating institutions to work together to ensure that the framework achieved its intended objectives and strengthened the security of Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure.
Also speaking, Dahiru Gwarzo, representing the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, endorsed the industry-wide security framework, describing it as critical to protecting oil and gas infrastructure, boosting government revenue and restoring investor confidence.
Gwarzo said security remained fundamental to the sustainability of Nigeria’s petroleum industry, stressing that the protection of oil and gas assets required coordinated efforts among security agencies, operators, regulators and surveillance contractors.
“In our industry, security is not a peripheral matter; it is fundamental to national revenue, investor confidence, operator continuity, environmental stewardship and the well-being of the host communities that host our assets,” he said.
He commended the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, and his team for providing the leadership and coordination required to develop the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry-Wide Security Architecture.
Gwarzo described the harmonisation of the mandates and operational procedures of security agencies, regulators, operators and surveillance partners as a significant institutional achievement.
He also acknowledged the sacrifices of military personnel, police officers, intelligence operatives and other security personnel deployed along pipeline corridors and production areas, noting that some had paid the ultimate price protecting national assets.
Recalling the severity of Nigeria’s oil security challenges, Gwarzo said national crude oil production fell to about 950,000 barrels per day in August 2022, while major pipelines remained unavailable for extended periods.
He said the situation affected government revenue, industry operations, host communities and the environment in the Niger Delta.
Gwarzo said the experience demonstrated the need for collective action, adding that “no single institution, operator can secure Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure in isolation.”