NNPC, Police Partner to Check Pipeline Vandalism

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have pledged partnership towards combating the menace of pipeline vandalism and security threats to key oil and gas facilities in Nigeria.
This resolution was reached last week after a meeting between the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mr. Austen Oniwon and the acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar at the Louis Edet House in Abuja.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have pledged partnership towards combating the menace of pipeline vandalism and security threats to key oil and gas facilities in Nigeria.
This resolution was reached last week after a meeting between the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mr. Austen Oniwon and the acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar at the Louis Edet House in Abuja.
In his presentation, the NNPC GMD reeled out the alarming cases of pipeline vandalism across the country as well as the growing instances of attacks on the operational staff of the corporation which he said "is posing a massive threat to the operation of the oil and gas industry at the downstream and upstream sectors."
Oniwon had in a statement issued last week by the NNPC spokesman, Dr. Levi Ajuonuma, noted that, "The activities of pipeline vandals are currently endangering the smooth operation of the nation's petroleum industry."
He called on the Police to assist the NNPC in the push to eradicate the intractable incidence of encroachment of pipeline right of way which has over time assumed a frightening dimension.
The NNPC boss also used the occasion to commiserate with the acting IGP and the Police high command on the demise of his wife as well as the death of DIG John Haruna and some Police officers in the Jos helicopter crash.
Responding, the IGP pledged the readiness of officers and men of the force to work with the NNPC in achieving its mandate to the nation.
He announced the formation of a special Police Anti-Pipeline vandalism Squad dedicated to the protection and security of the nation's vast outlay of oil and gas pipelines, while declaring "zero tolerance and no laxity on the issue of pipeline vandalism."
While thanking the NNPC GMD for his show of concern and solidarity with the Police at this trying time, Abubakar pledged to deal with any officer who fails to perform in this regard.