Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) has claimed credit for the increase in the country’s crude oil production in the Niger Delta region, attributing it to its effective security measures. The agency’s Director General, Yusuf Bichi, made the statement at a public hearing by the House of Representatives Special Committee on Oil Theft.
According to Bichi, who spoke through his representative, Abdulkadir Salihu, the DSS’s security surveillance efforts have led to a remarkable increase in oil production to 1.6 million barrels per day. He emphasized that it is unfair to accuse the agency of being complicit in oil theft, given its efforts to curb the illegal activity.
Bichi insisted that the DSS is committed to ending oil theft and illegal refining of crude oil and has been taking non-kinetic measures to achieve this goal. He explained that the agency’s operatives identify, arrest, and prosecute those involved in oil theft whenever they receive reports of such incidents.
The DSS director general also lamented that his agency has been relying on the parliament to enact a legal framework to enable it tackle oil theft and illegal crude oil refining more effectively. He urged the lawmakers to strengthen anti-corruption agencies and whistleblower policies to address the issue.
Chairman of the House Special Committee on Oil Theft, Hon Alhassan Ado Doguwa, assured that the committee is committed to ensuring that necessary legislation is passed to aid security agencies in their fight against oil theft.
The DSS’s claims have sparked controversy, with some lawmakers expressing skepticism about its involvement in oil theft. However, Bichi maintained that the agency is committed to ending the menace of oil theft and illegal refining of crude oil.
In related news, the Katsina State Command of the Department of State Services (DSS) has uncovered a shocking case of rice diversion involving officials of the state government.
Join our Channel...