The Nigerian Navy has extended a plea to the international community to reject stolen crude transported from Nigeria or any other country, to discourage oil theft.
Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Mustapha Hassan made the statement during a media session, noting that oil bunkering and theft is a crime that can plunge any nation into bankruptcy.
Hassan argued that the crime remains high in oil producing states because some nations purchase the products from saboteurs and oil thieves, giving them impetus to continue the trade to the detriment of the state.
He also called for the deactivation of about 1,000 oil wells abandoned by International Oil Companies in the Niger Delta area, while urging the judiciary to speed up judgements in the cases of arrested oil thieves.
According to him, prosecution of offenders will serve as deterrent for persons interesting in such crimes, thus reducing the rate of oil theft.
