The government’s efforts to reduce crude theft have led to an increase in Nigeria’s oil production, now ranging between 1.6 million and 1.7 million barrels per day, according to Chief of Naval Staff Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla.
Ogalla said there has been a significant improvement from the 1.2 million barrels per day that the country was producing In February.
“We have stepped up surveillance and enforcement in the oil-producing areas,” the naval chief said.
“Right now, as we speak, the Nigerian Navy has 12 vessels on the sea to protect oil production and stem theft. We have arrested over 16 vessels so far,” he added.
He also stressed that law enforcement has shut down the avenues for the illegal sale of refined petroleum products.
Authorities believe Nigeria has the potential to yield six million barrels daily if sufficient investment is made in the energy sector.