The Department of State Services, or DSS, has credited its aggressive security measures in the Niger Delta for the country’s increased crude oil production.
This came as it disputed allegations of involvement in the region’s oil theft.
Yusuf Bichi, Director General of DSS, stated Friday at a 2-Day Public and Investigative Hearing of the House of Representatives Special Committee on Oil Theft that the agency should be applauded rather than accused of involvement in oil theft.
Bichi, speaking through his spokesperson and the agency’s Director of Operations, Abdulkadir Salihu, emphasised that the DSS was not involved in oil theft in the Niger Delta region of the country.
“Our security surveillance has led to a remarkable increase in oil production to 1.6 million barrels of crude oil per day” , the official stated. He claimed it was wrong for his agency to be accused of aiding and abetting oil theft and illicit crude oil processing, considering that his personnel were working tirelessly to put an end to the criminal conduct, which, he insisted, had lifted the output level to its current level.
He went on to say that DSS was combating the threat of oil theft by using non-kinetic means. He made a suggestion that the agency’s agents typically carry out this strategy by locating, apprehending, and prosecuting the offenders responsible for oil theft incidents.
“We’ve been taking action and being constant with our security surveillance.Whenever there is a report of oil theft, we notify our personnel, and they always take action.
“Our security surveillance has led to a remarkable increase in oil production to 1.6 million barrels of crude oil per day” .
However, the secret security agency lamented to the House investigative panel that it has been looking up to it for the enactment of the legal framework that will allow the agency to combat oil theft and illegal crude oil refining in the country, “he added.
He went on to say that as the legal foundation for an all-encompassing approach to the problem, DSS has continuously pushed for improvements to agency enabling laws.
He discussed the steps that will be done to address the concerns expressed by certain committee members, stating that whistleblower policies and anti-corruption organisations needed to be strengthened.
Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, the chairman of the House Special Committee, had earlier stated in his speech that the committee was prepared to see to it that the appropriate laws were passed by the legislature in order to support the efforts of the security forces in combating the threat posed by oil thieves.
In Essence
The DSS is keen to distance itself from allegations of involvement in oil theft, which could be damaging to its reputation and credibility. By emphasizing its role in increasing production and combating theft, the agency aims to project a positive image and counter any negative perceptions.
