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JTF attributes oil output rise from 1.2 to 1.83 mbpd to intensified battle against oil theft
Commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Niger Delta, Rear Admiral John Okeke, on Thursday attributed the rise in oil output from 1.2 million barrels per day (mbpd) in January to 1.84 mbpd currently to outcome of intensified battle against oil theft.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Okeke gave the figure during a review of the operations of the task force for the year 2024.
He said that following a Presidential Order to increase oil production to 2.2 mbpd, the Chief Defence Staff authorised intensified crackdown on oil thieves.
“Of course,this feat came along with challenges resulting in some of our colleagues paying the supreme price.
“The need for today’s conference is to assess our performances and projections for 2025 which is necessary to sustain the JTF efforts to enhance Nigerian economic prosperity towards our national development as emphasised by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the C-in-C of the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” Okeke said.
He explained that following a dip in oil output in the second quarter of the year, the joint task force launched a 90 day operation aimed at restoring oil and gas production to full capacity in the South South and South East geo-political zones.
He explained that the operation was conducted in 2 phases with each phase lasting for 45 days, adding that the operation ended on Oct 16 with remarkable successes resulting in major achievements.
Okeke listed the results of the enhanced operations to include reduction in crude oil theft and illegal refining activities by about 85 per cent within the fourth quarter of 2024.
He also said the joint force also terminated about 95 per cent breaches on the Trans-Niger, Trans-Ramos and Trans-Escravos Pipelines in the last 3 months and Key Performance Indicator of 89, 96 and 97 percent in the Eastern, Western and Central Corridors respectively as at Dec 4.
Okeke noted that with the increased crude oil output from 1.2 mbpd in June, 24 to 1.83 million bpd as at 11 Dec, attaining the 2.2 mbpd benchmark is achievable.
According to the JTF commander, the troops have commenced picketing of facilities of suspected end-users of stolen crude and illegally refined products.
Okeke also listed the bursting of a four-man syndicate that specialises in the production of fake documents since 2011 for movement of stolen crude oil.
“Other achievements include: Deactivation of about 1,546 illegal refining sites each with different camps, destruction of over 1,428 storage facilities and 1,121 large wooden boats.
“Seize and appropriate handling of over 300 vehicles including tankers, trucks, cars and tricycles conveying crude oil and illegally refined products.
“Recovery of about 15,634,207 litres of stolen crude oil, seizure of about 4,004,968 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil AGO).
“The JTF also seized about 41,770 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene and seizure of about 273,225 litres of petrol,” he said.
According to Okeke, a total of 1,217 suspects in connection with various crimes were apprehended by the JTF code named, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) within the period under review.
He said the OPDS also achieved enhanced community engagement and mediation between International Oil Companies and host communities resolving about 98 CSR related disputes involving Chevron, SEEPCO, SPDC, Aiteo, NECONDE, TotalEnergiex and Oando.
He explained that to sustain the gains, the OPDS is advocating robust stakeholders support to the fight against oil theft in addition to intensified intelligence sharing amongst security agencies.
Okeke identified the need to extend security coverage to gas facilities which hitherto were not targets of criminals due to the emerging security threat of attacks on gas infrastructures.
He said that in the coming year, the force would deploy advanced technology by use of tactical drones to provide online real-time coverage of the activities in the JTF’s area of responsibility. (NAN)
Bitcoin experienced sharp fluctuations following President Donald Trump’s April 2 tariff announcement, initially surging to $88,000 before dropping to $82,000.
By April 3, it stabilized around $83,000, with the broader crypto market down over 4%. Major altcoins like Ethereum and Solana also declined over 6%, hitting multi-month lows.
Analysts see the tariff news as reducing market uncertainty, potentially attracting institutional investors.
Despite higher-than-expected rates, experts believe the clarity could help Bitcoin regain momentum toward $90,000. Bitcoin ETFs, led by BlackRock, recorded $218 million in inflows on April 2, reversing prior outflows.
Kraken’s Thomas Perfumo challenged the idea that institutional interest stabilizes crypto, emphasizing that volatility signals demand for a scarce asset.
Some analysts viewed the sell-off as an overreaction to trade policy concerns, highlighting Bitcoin’s resilience as a store of value.
With ETFs showing strong demand, Bitcoin’s price may stabilize and rise, though market participants remain cautious, monitoring trade policies and economic conditions.
Violent clashes between pastoralist groups and settled farming communities have long been a challenge in South Sudan.
However, the recent outbreak of violence in the northern Ruweng Administrative Area has further heightened concerns over the nation’s fragile peace. At least 30 people lost their lives after an armed youth group launched a brutal attack on a northern South Sudanese town, according to local officials.
The incident, linked to an escalating cattle raid, saw the town briefly fall under the control of the attackers before security forces regained control.
The violence began when a group of armed youth stole lambs earlier in the week. Security forces quickly intervened, forcing the raiders to retreat. However, instead of dispersing, the group reorganised and launched a more aggressive attack on Abiemnom the following day.
Local Minister of Information, Simon Chol Mialith, confirmed that despite resistance from local youth and security personnel, the town was overrun by the Mayom armed youth. The attack led to significant casualties and destruction before security forces were able to reclaim the town.
On Wednesday, the South Sudan People’s Defence Force (SSPDF) successfully pushed the attackers out, restoring a semblance of calm. However, the scale of the destruction was already severe, with over 40 individuals injured in addition to the fatalities.
Although reports suggest that some of the deceased were members of the armed groups, official confirmation remains pending.
The attack comes at a time of growing instability in South Sudan, with tensions between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar intensifying. This political rivalry threatens to unravel the delicate 2018 peace agreement that ended the nation’s five-year civil war.
Since gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan has struggled with continuous unrest. Despite its vast oil resources, the country remains impoverished, with conflicts like these exacerbating economic and social difficulties.
Key Business Developments to Monitor This Week: Crude Oil Transactions in Naira and Resumption of Emirates Flights
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (OPEC+) have announced an increase in crude oil production by 411,000 barrels per day (bpd) starting in May. This decision follows a virtual meeting among eight member nations, which agreed to gradually reduce previously implemented output cuts.
The nations involved in this agreement include Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, the UAE, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman.
As a result of this production increase, Brent crude prices fell by 6.8% to $69.85 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude dropped by 7.08% to $66.63, as of 10 PM WAT.
According to Reuters, these fluctuations are closely linked to the recent announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump imposing a 10% tariff on all imported goods.
### Voluntary Production Cuts by Eight OPEC+ Member Nations
In April 2023, eight OPEC+ countries declared additional voluntary reductions amounting to 1.65 million bpd, lasting until the end of December 2026. Subsequently, in November 2023, an additional voluntary cut of 2.2 million bpd was announced.
On December 5, 2024, the oil cartel revealed plans to extend these adjustments through March 2025, indicating that the 2.2 million bpd reductions would be gradually phased out on a monthly basis until the end of September 2026, aimed at maintaining market stability. However, on March 3, these nations agreed to implement a planned increase in oil production starting April 1.
### Monthly Phasing Out of Oil Production by Eight OPEC Member Countries
OPEC stated that the eight participating countries will implement a production adjustment of 411,000 barrels per day, divided into three monthly increments, beginning in May 2025. This adjustment includes the planned increment for May plus two additional monthly increases. The oil alliance emphasized that these gradual increases could be paused or reversed depending on market conditions, allowing for continued support of oil market stability.
Furthermore, OPEC+ noted that this measure would provide an opportunity for member nations to expedite their compensation efforts. The eight countries will convene monthly to assess market conditions, compliance, and compensation strategies.
The next meeting is scheduled for May 5, where decisions regarding June production levels will be made.