The Nigeria Police Command in Bayelsa State has issued a stern warning to economic saboteurs with a vow to use every legal means in protecting vital Blue Economy assets.

Commissioner of Police Francis Alonyenu made this declaration on Sunday in Yenagoa, emphasizing the state’s importance in Nigeria’s maritime, petroleum, and gas sectors.

Bayelsa, being one of the leading oil-producing states in Nigeria, faces ongoing challenges from criminals engaged in oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and other forms of economic sabotage, which have severely impacted the nation’s economy. Alonyenu reassured the public that the police command is committed to maintaining peace, reducing crime rates, and ensuring that these valuable resources are protected for the benefit of both the state and the country.

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To bolster security, the command has adopted advanced surveillance techniques, including drones, and implemented crime mapping strategies to identify the motivations behind attacks on infrastructure like pipelines. This approach has reportedly helped to minimize criminal activity and allowed businesses to operate safely.

Alonyenu further highlighted the command’s ongoing efforts to clear economic saboteurs from Bayelsa’s waters and maintain the peace in the region. The state’s oil and gas infrastructure is crucial to Nigeria’s economy, and the police are determined to keep it secure amid the persistent threat of sabotage.

Bayelsa’s pipelines and offshore facilities have been prime targets for criminals seeking to steal crude oil, with Nigeria losing an estimated 300,000 barrels per day to such activities. The annual revenue loss due to oil theft and pipeline vandalism is estimated at N1.29 trillion, according to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen.

As Bayelsa continues to play a central role in the nation’s economic activities, the police are resolved to ensure that these criminal activities do not undermine the state’s security and economic interests.

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