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Crude oil theft: Nigeria lost $300bn from 2015 to 2025 – Senate

The Senate, through its Ad Hoc Committee on the Incessant and Nefarious Acts of Crude Oil Theft in the Niger Delta and the Actors, on Wednesday disclosed that Nigeria has lost an estimated $300 billion in revenue from natural resources between 2015 and the present. The 23-member committee, which is investigating repeated sabotage of oil
Crude oil theft: Nigeria lost $300bn from 2015 to 2025 – Senate

The Senate, through its Ad Hoc Committee on the Incessant and Nefarious Acts of Crude Oil Theft in the Niger Delta and the Actors, on Wednesday disclosed that Nigeria has lost an estimated $300 billion in revenue from natural resources between 2015 and the present.

The 23-member committee, which is investigating repeated sabotage of oil installations and crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, identified systemic irregularities, poor measurement standards, and weak enforcement in the oil and gas sector, resulting in unaccounted crude oil sales.

Presenting the committee’s interim report, its chairman, Senator Ned Nwoko (APC, Delta North), said the findings stemmed from oral submissions made by stakeholders, documents, records, and information obtained from the general public.

He said the 40-page interim report recommends several measures to tackle crude oil theft, strengthen accountability, and recover lost revenues. The committee, after extensive assessment, recommended that the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, should strictly enforce internationally accepted crude oil measurement standards at all production sites and export terminals.

The report further urged the Federal Government to equip security agencies with modern surveillance technology. This, it suggested, should include “unmanned aerial vehicles, UAVs, to combat oil theft, as well as to establish a Maritime Trust Fund to enhance maritime infrastructure and safety.”

Other recommendations include the establishment of special courts to prosecute crude oil thieves and the full implementation of the Host Communities Development Trust Fund under the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA. The report also recommended handing over abandoned wells to the NUPRC for proper management and utilisation.

It called for the strict implementation and enforcement of internationally acceptable crude oil measurement standards at all production sites and export terminals, or alternatively, the restoration of the Weights and Measures Department of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to the upstream sector.

According to the committee, this should be followed by empowering the Weights and Measures Department to acquire and use state-of-the-art measuring equipment at all production sites and export terminals. It noted that this would promote and strengthen accurate measurement, transparency, and accountability in the oil and gas industry.

The committee also proposed that it be empowered to “track, trace, and recover” all stolen crude oil and its proceeds, locally and internationally — a recommendation that immediately sparked debate among lawmakers.

While some senators commended the committee for a job well done, they cautioned against exceeding legislative powers.

Specifically, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) described the report as “detailed and commendable,” but argued that the committee’s mandate should not include the direct recovery of stolen funds.

He said: “We can track and trace, but recovery is beyond the powers of the Senate. The committee should specify losses, locations, and report back for referral to agencies such as the EFCC or ICPC.”

Senator Ningi noted that consultant reports cited in the document revealed crude oil revenue shortfalls of $81 billion between 2016 and 2017, in addition to $200 billion in unaccounted proceeds from 2015 to date.

Also contributing, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Solomon Adeola, supported Ningi’s position, saying the recovery process must be handled by the executive arm.

“The committee should provide more details — names of companies, figures, and locations — before any further steps are taken.
“It is not the role of the Senate to recover funds; that lies with appropriate agencies,” he stressed.

Other senators, including Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo (PDP, Gombe South), also called for a more comprehensive final report to identify all “actors” involved in the theft, the specific wells and rigs affected, and the quantities of crude lost through illegal bunkering and pipeline leakages.

“The title of the report includes ‘the actors,’ so we must know who they are. It is a complex web involving companies, individuals, and illegal refineries. We need well-by-well and rig-by-rig data,” Dankwambo said.

In his remarks, President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, commended members of the committee for their “thorough and courageous work,” but aligned with colleagues who said the Senate could not directly recover stolen funds.

“Our duty is to track and trace. Recovery is a separate mandate handled by government agencies. Nonetheless, we encourage the committee to continue its work and present a final, comprehensive report,” he said.

The Senate President described the estimated $300 billion in crude oil losses as “staggering,” saying it underscores the need for urgent reforms and stricter oversight of Nigeria’s petroleum sector.

The Red Chamber thereafter resolved to adopt the interim report and directed the ad hoc committee to continue its investigation and submit a final report with detailed findings and actionable recommendations.

Crude oil theft: Nigeria lost $300bn from 2015 to 2025 – Senate

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Christian genocide in Nigeria: ‘Biden turned blind eye’ – US Senator Ted Cruz

United States Senator Ted Cruz has accused former President Joe Biden of turning a blind eye while radical Islamic terrorists allegedly slaughtered Christians in Nigeria. Cruz made the statement on Wednesday via his official X handle, as he expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump for designating Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern.” The
Christian genocide in Nigeria: ‘Biden turned blind eye’ – US Senator Ted Cruz

United States Senator Ted Cruz has accused former President Joe Biden of turning a blind eye while radical Islamic terrorists allegedly slaughtered Christians in Nigeria.

Cruz made the statement on Wednesday via his official X handle, as he expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump for designating Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern.”

The Republican lawmaker said, “Joe Biden turned a blind eye while radical Islamic terrorists slaughtered Christians in Nigeria.
“I’m very grateful to President Trump for designating it a Country of Particular Concern.”

Recall that Trump had, last weekend, designated Nigeria as a country of particular concern.

The US leader cited what he described as ongoing violence against Christians and the failure of the Federal Government of Nigeria to protect religious minorities.

However, the Nigerian government has strongly denied the persecution of any religious groups in the country.

Christian genocide in Nigeria: ‘Biden turned blind eye’ – US Senator Ted Cruz

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Federal High Court bars police from arresting Sowore

The Federal High Court in Lagos has issued an order restraining the Lagos State Police Command and its Commissioner of Police from arresting, harassing, or intimidating Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters and prominent human rights activist. The interim injunction was granted on Wednesday by Justice Musa Kakaki, following an application filed by Sowore seeking
Federal High Court bars police from arresting Sowore

The Federal High Court in Lagos has issued an order restraining the Lagos State Police Command and its Commissioner of Police from arresting, harassing, or intimidating Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters and prominent human rights activist.

The interim injunction was granted on Wednesday by Justice Musa Kakaki, following an application filed by Sowore seeking the protection of his fundamental rights.

In his ruling, Justice Kakaki directed the respondents, particularly the Lagos Commissioner of Police, to refrain from “harassing, intimidating, threatening with arrest, or declaring the applicant wanted pending the determination of the substantive suit.”

According to affidavits attached to the suit, Sowore stated that he had not received any formal police invitation or warrant of arrest before being declared wanted by Commissioner Moshood Jimoh.

He maintained that the police action was unlawful and violated his constitutional rights to dignity, personal liberty, and freedom of movement.

Sowore argued that the police declaration had maliciously damaged his reputation as a journalist, activist, and former presidential candidate, describing it as an attempt to suppress his voice and intimidate him into silence.

“That unless restrained urgently by this honourable court, the respondents will continue to threaten and harass me everywhere I go,” Sowore deposed in his affidavit of urgency.
“I am not aware of any offence committed by me, and I was never invited by the police before the declaration made on November 3, 2025.”

The controversy stems from a statement made by Commissioner of Police Jimoh on Monday, during a media briefing in the Oworonshoki area of Lagos, where he declared Sowore wanted for allegedly inciting public unrest over the demolition of buildings in the community.

The police chief had accused Sowore of visiting the area to provoke residents and disrupt public peace, vowing to arrest and prosecute him.

However, with the court’s decision, the police command is now legally restrained from taking any action against Sowore until the substantive case is heard and determined.

Reacting to the ruling, Sowore expressed satisfaction with the court’s intervention, saying it reinforced his confidence in the Nigerian judiciary despite widespread public doubts.

“Many people say they don’t trust the judiciary, but I believe that trust in our courts depends on citizens who stand up and insist that justice must be done,” Sowore told reporters after the ruling.

“My activism has always been about justice and freedom for every Nigerian, regardless of ethnicity, gender, or religion. I thank the court for its courage in granting this important order.”

Federal High Court bars police from arresting Sowore

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Alleged genocide: US has never been any country’s saviour – Falana

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has said that the United States has never been a saviour to any country in times of violence. Falana made this statement on Wednesday while responding to questions during an interview on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television monitored by DAILY POST. He was reacting to the allegation of
Alleged genocide: US has never been any country’s saviour – Falana

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has said that the United States has never been a saviour to any country in times of violence.

Falana made this statement on Wednesday while responding to questions during an interview on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television monitored by DAILY POST.

He was reacting to the allegation of Christian genocide in Nigeria by US President Donald Trump, who recently tagged Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern”.

Trump also threatened to send the US military to Nigeria if the alleged Christian genocide continued in the country.

Reacting, Falana said, “The United States of America has never been a saviour of country in the time of violence. Talking of Iraq, they went for weapon of mass destruction.

“Syria, Libya, Afghanistan, wherever, the United States has never gone to in any of those countries. America today has about 12 billion bullets. Some of them are being used locally to kill its own citizens.

“The most painful part of it is that, Nigeria has almost reduced to a point when America is planning to attack it, where China has come up to say thou shall not do it and the European Union EU has come up to say there’s no evidence of Christian genocide to warrant intervention in the case of Nigeria.

“If a war breaks out as Trump is planning, it’s not like going to Iraq. You have these criminals scattered all over the country. So it’s not strike and going back like Iraq. America wanted to get a military base in Iraq but couldn’t get it. It wanted to make Nigeria a dumping ground for deportees. So, this country, we must find a way of moving forward.”

Alleged genocide: US has never been any country’s saviour – Falana

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Alleged coup: Govt unable to dismiss report – Falana

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has called on the Federal Government to be transparent with Nigerians over reports of an alleged coup plot in the country. Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme on Wednesday, Falana said the government has yet to convincingly dismiss reports that some persons were arrested in connection with the
Alleged coup: Govt unable to dismiss report – Falana

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has called on the Federal Government to be transparent with Nigerians over reports of an alleged coup plot in the country.

Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme on Wednesday, Falana said the government has yet to convincingly dismiss reports that some persons were arrested in connection with the alleged plot.

Responding to claims that the issue was a delicate security matter, Falana maintained that reports of arrests were already in circulation. He stressed that transparency would help the government mobilise public support against anti-democratic elements.

Falana also commented on the recent remarks by US President Donald Trump, who drew attention to violence in Nigeria. He said that while Trump may have framed the issue as attacks on Christians, the broader concern was the government’s failure to protect all citizens.

Falana said: “You know, a lot of conspiracy theories are going on, and as a lawyer, I can only speak of what I know that are within the public domain. As far as I’m concerned, the government is making more money on the sale of oil. Apart from removal of fuel subsidy, the government has also been able to increase oil production in our country.

“For the majority of our people, they remain economically disabled. And when people are planning a coup, they take advantage of mass anger in the land to strike. Government has said there was no attempt to coup. As far as I’m concerned, the government has to come up very soon, because it has not been able to dismiss reports of arrest of the alleged coup plotters. The government has to be more honest with Nigerians if this happened. If it was going to happen. The government must come up.”

When reminded it was a delicate and security matter, and that the military authorities had denied any coup attempt, Falana continued: “No, arrests have been made. This is being reported. So at the time it was denied, the government was still trying to pick up, arrest have not been made. Information has leaked out.

“So the government must be honest with Nigerians and react to those reports one way or the other. And there is a way you wish you also mobilise Nigerians, if you are honest with them, to fight anti-democratic forces. The government must go back to the drawing table. Who could have led it having listened to those who have been arrested? One way or the other, address the problems.

“As regards what is going on in the United States? Again? Yes the two events, people may want to analyse them, but what is important is the fact that Mr. Trump has drawn global attention to a crisis in Nigeria, which is that gunmen are killing citizens in Nigeria. If he tries to reduce it to attack on some Christians, that is his own problem.

“But for us as Nigerians and for the government, the government has a duty under the Constitution to guarantee the life and property of every person living in Nigeria. If criminal gangs are now in control of force in the country, balance of force in our country is in favour of criminal element, the government must review its own counter-insurgency operations with a view to protecting Nigerians.”

Alleged coup: Govt unable to dismiss report – Falana