The House of Representatives has tasked the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to sustain its operations against illegal refineries and adulteration networks, as well as intensify intelligence-led patrols around petroleum pipeline corridors.
The chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources ( Downstream), Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere, gave the charge during a visit to the Force Headquarters, on Thursday.
Ugochinyere lauded the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, and the Nigeria Police Force for their efforts and in protecting downstream petroleum infrastructure in the country. He noted that the efforts of the police has helped in stabilizing the downstream sector of the oil industry, which is critical to the economy of the country.
The lawmaker noted the Force’s collaboration with downstream regulatory agencies in clamping down on illegal refineries, fuel racketeering and black-market networks has strengthened the integrity of the formal petroleum market.
According to him, “Your strategic deployments, intelligence coordination and rapid response have prevented vandalism, product diversion, and attacks on storage facilities across multiple zones.
“Police escorts and highway monitoring units have ensured safer movement of petroleum products from depots to retail stations, reducing incidents of theft, hijacking, and disruption.”
Consequently, he explained that the visit was to deepen institutional collaboration between the National Assembly and the police in securing downstream petroleum assets, as well as and to formally present a Special Award of Recognition to the Force for its contributions to national energy security.
He stressed the need for strengthened cooperation with host communities, so as promote early conflict resolution and peaceful operations, and the creation
a Standing Police Downstream Security Desk to enable quicker coordination, joint operations with regulators to eliminate illegal market activities.
