Protests at N’Assembly Over Crude Oil Theft in Nigeria

Protests erupted at the Nigerian National Assembly on Wednesday as the Senate and House of Representatives intensified discussions on crude oil theft, particularly in the oil-rich Niger Delta. Civil society groups, led by Tesleem Kolawole, demonstrated outside the legislative complex, calling for improved pipeline security and urging lawmakers to take a holistic approach to the issue.

The protest coincided with a parliamentary roundtable scheduled to address pipeline security, with notable attendees including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abba. The discussions aim to tackle the ongoing challenges of oil theft, which has severely undermined Nigeria's crude oil output and government revenue.

The protesters highlighted the importance of transparency and accountability in security contracts, specifically regarding Tantita Security Services, which has been engaged since 2022 to combat widespread vandalism and criminal activities affecting oil production. The event underscores the critical need for effective measures to restore confidence in Nigeria's oil infrastructure.