The management of the NNPC and the Nigerian Police has pledged to join forces in combating the menace of pipeline vandalism and security threats to oil installations in the country.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Group General Manager (Public Affairs) of the NNPC, Dr Levi Ajuonuma, on Wednesday in Abuja.
The statement said the agreement was the outcome of the visit of the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mr Austen Oniwon, to the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar.
The statement said the NNPC boss decried the alarming rate of pipeline vandalism in the country and the growing attacks on its operational staff.
It said that the menace posed a serious threat to operations in the petroleum industry and the economy of the nation.
The statement urged the police to assist the NNPC in its efforts to “eradicate the intractable incidence of encroachment of pipeline right of way’’ which had over time assumed a frightening dimension.
It said that Abubakar pledged the commitment of officers and men of the Force to work with the NNPC in achieving its mandate.
The statement said that Abubakar also declared the administration’s zero tolerance for pipeline vandalism and pledged to deal with any officer who failed to perform.
NANreports that the growing menace of pipeline vandalism and oil bunkering have been major threats to Nigeria’s oil production in recent times.?