NSA rolls out new rules to secure oil sector

The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in Nigeria has introduced a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) aimed at securing the country's oil and gas sector. The framework, unveiled on Monday in Abuja, seeks to harmonise security operations, establish clear responsibilities, and improve collaboration among government security agencies, private surveillance contractors, and other stakeholders.

The SOP was developed in response to the recovery of over 2.4 million barrels of stolen crude oil, which has also led to the deactivation of more than 10,000 illegal refineries, removal of nearly 7,000 illegal pipeline connections, and the arrest of over 3,700 suspects. The NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, emphasized that the framework is designed to protect Nigeria's hydrocarbon assets, which are vital to the country's economic stability, national development, and strategic resilience.

Ribadu stated that the SOP is not merely an administrative document but a practical tool to enhance synergy, reduce operational friction, promote accountability, and protect critical national infrastructure connected to hydrocarbon resources.

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