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Oil Theft: Niger Delta Ex-agitators Petition President Tinubu
The Niger-Delta Ex-Agitators Movement for Justice and Freedom has petitioned President Bola Tinubu, calling for an urgent probe into the oil assets security supervisory contract in the region.
The ex-militants alleged that “dereliction of duty” has allowed rampant crude theft and vandalism to persist.
The demand was made in a petition dated October 15, 2025, signed by National Chairman Preye Emiete and copied to the National Security Adviser, NNPCL and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.
The ex-agitators expressed deep concern over the persistent sabotage, crude oil theft, and vandalism of vital petroleum infrastructure in the Niger Delta region.
They described the performance of the current contract as “an affront to national economic security, public trust, and the wellbeing of host communities,” demanding immediate intervention to review and potentially terminate the agreement.
The petitioners outlined the mandate of the contract, which includes “supervising all contracted oil security outfits to ensure adherence to operational guidelines”, “coordinating with relevant federal agencies to detect and deter oil theft and vandalism, engaging and incorporating host community stakeholders in surveillance and rapid response,” and “ensuring familiarity with local terrains for optimal protection of petroleum”.
However, according to the ex-agitators, these obligations are not being met.
The petition cited field reports, community testimonies, and independent media coverage, showing rampant oil theft and rising vandalism.
They frowned at the situation whereby host communities are sidelined in favour of “security contractors with little to no knowledge of the terrain”.
Drawing on NNPC data, the petition highlighted that in June 2025 alone, 223 new illegal connections on oil pipelines were discovered, alongside the dismantling of 78 illegal refineries, leading to daily losses exceeding 400,000 barrels of crude oil.
“This continued theft and sabotage have led to production losses amounting to millions of barrels annually, robbing the Federal Government and citizens of vital revenue,” the agitators stated, adding that environmental spills have “destroyed farmlands and fishing waters, further impoverishing host communities”.
The ex-agitators further criticized the contractors for failing to “implement sustainable monitoring systems, relying instead on ad-hoc and ineffective patrols,” which they said fosters resentment, erodes trust, and weakens intelligence gathering.
They raised questions about the “criteria and processes by which these appointments are made,” suggesting that “certain appointments may serve” undisclosed interests, and labeled the non-performance a “breach of contractual obligations” under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), justifying immediate governmental intervention, contract review, and, where necessary, termination.
They also called for stronger oversight and a review of all contractor selections, potentially appointing new supervisory entities with proven track records in oil asset protection.
“This is not merely an operational lapse; it is a threat to national economic security,” the petition warned, emphasizing impacts like hampered crude production, weakened OPEC quota performance, eroded investor confidence, and risks of renewed agitation and unrest in host communities.
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Ogun State Government Announces Pension, Gratuity Backlog Clearance Between 2012 and 2020
The Ogun State Government has announced the clearance of pension and gratuity arrears owed to workers who retired between 2012 and 2020, reaffirming its commitment to the welfare of retirees.
The Economic Adviser and Commissioner for Finance, Dapo Okubadejo, disclosed this on Tuesday during a media parley organised by the Ogun State Ministry of Budget and Planning.
Okubadejo explained that the backlog was linked to the Defined Benefits Scheme, under which retirees receive monthly pension payments, stressing that the present administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun has not defaulted on pension obligations since assuming office.
“Since the inception of this administration, we have not missed a single month of pension payment. What we inherited were arrears tied to the Defined Benefits Scheme,” he said.
According to him, annual pension payments rose from ₦6.7 billion in 2019 to ₦20 billion in 2025, with projections showing a possible increase to ₦40 billion by 2029.
He disclosed that the state had so far paid ₦23.3 billion in gratuities covering retirees from 2012 to 2020, alongside ₦32.8 billion in outstanding gratuities for local government retirees inherited by the administration.
Okubadejo added that between 2019 and July 2, 2025, the state disbursed ₦93.26 billion in pensions under the Defined Benefits Scheme and ₦94.78 billion to local government pensioners.
He assured that the remaining backlog would be cleared as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) continues to improve, noting that over 300 workers who retired in July 2025 are currently receiving six-month palliatives pending the completion of their pension documentation.
The commissioner also described the newly approved Additional Pension Benefits (APB) as the first of its kind in Nigeria, adding that amendments to the state’s pension law would be pursued to formally integrate the scheme.
On the state’s fiscal outlook, Okubadejo revealed that the 2026 budget increased from ₦1.054 trillion in 2025 to ₦1.668 trillion, while Ogun’s economy expanded from ₦3.5 trillion in 2019 to ₦18.96 trillion in 2026.
He added that IGR grew from ₦50 billion in 2019 to ₦240 billion in 2025, with projections of ₦512 billion this year.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Olaolu Olabimtan, said the 2026 budget reflects strong fiscal reforms, noting an 85 per cent budget execution rate in 2024 and sustained financial stability.
Other commissioners highlighted sectoral achievements, including massive road construction, increased healthcare funding, rail extension plans, education support programmes, and expanded housing projects across the state.
African Democratic Congress, ADC, chieftain, Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to focus on the country’s future and vote for a change in leadership.
Obi spoke at a meeting with Hausa/Fulani chiefs in Abuja on Wednesday.
“We have to talk about the future of our country. All of you know what is happening to our country today. That’s why we are campaigning that you vote out this government,” he said.
He described the situation in Nigeria as dire, citing insecurity, hunger and hardship.
“today we have insecurity across Nigeria. We have hunger across Nigeria. We are suffering across Nigeria. The only thing that is working in Nigeria today is bad news. Every morning you wake up is bad news,” Obi stated.
The former Labour Party presidential candidate said a new administration would prioritize social services.
“We’re urging you to vote for a change and bring a new Nigeria, where our children will be in school. Our hospitals will work,” he added.
Obi also questioned government spending priorities, particularly in the health sector.
“today, if you’re sick in Nigeria you’re praying to Almighty God because we’re now in a country where our president spends 360 billion to buy and refit his plane and spends 36 million in capital vote for the Ministry of Health. There’s nothing working,” he said.
He appealed to Nigerians to use their votes to usher in what he described as a “new Nigeria” focused on improving citizens’ welfare and restoring key public services.
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