By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA — Stakeholders have warned against moves to split Nigeria’s pipeline security framework or politicise surveillance operations, saying such actions could undo recent gains in crude oil production and expose the country’s oil infrastructure to fresh risks.

The message from the dialogue was clear: the current system is working, and attempts to break it up in the name of inclusion or political balance could reverse progress made in curbing oil theft and boosting national revenue.

The position was contained in a communiqué by Dr. Opialu Fabian at the end of a two-day National Dialogue on Pipeline Security held in Abuja, organised by the Forum of Forensic Civil Society Groups in Nigeria in collaboration with the Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency.

Participants said Nigeria’s oil pipelines remain central to the economy, noting that improved security has directly lifted crude oil output and strengthened government revenue needed to meet public obligations.

They pointed to coordinated and structured surveillance as the key driver behind the recent drop in pipeline vandalism and the steady rise in production levels.

“The dialogue observed that recent improvements in crude oil production levels and the relative decline in pipeline vandalism are closely tied to more coordinated and structured surveillance frameworks. These gains, participants agreed, must be preserved and strengthened rather than subjected to disruptive experimentation,” the communiqué stated.

The forum expressed concern over growing calls to fragment pipeline surveillance arrangements in the name of inclusion, warning that such moves could weaken the system and open the door to criminal networks.

“Participants emphasised that pipeline protection is not a routine contractual engagement but a sensitive national security function requiring discipline, trust, intelligence coordination, and a clear chain of command. As such, it cannot be treated as an avenue for political accommodation or patronage distribution,” the communiqué stated.

They warned that bringing in unvetted actors could compromise intelligence and embolden oil theft syndicates that have cost the country billions of naira, even as they acknowledged the need to involve host communities in a structured and responsible way.

“While recognising the legitimate concerns of host communities and the need for inclusivity, the Forum stressed that inclusion must be pursued through structured engagement, capacity-building, and clearly defined roles that do not compromise efficiency or security outcomes,” the communiqué added.

Participants also cautioned against politicising the issue, noting that heated narratives could inflame tensions in the Niger Delta and distract from the core goal of protecting critical infrastructure.

Beyond security, the forum highlighted the wider national impact of pipeline breaches, saying the consequences are felt through reduced public spending, economic instability and slower development.

“Participants agreed that the protection of national assets must transcend sectional interests, as the consequences of pipeline breaches are borne collectively through reduced public spending, economic instability, and weakened national development,” the communiqué stated.

In its resolutions, the forum called for sustaining the current surveillance framework, insisting that any proposed changes must be based on evidence and national interest, not pressure from competing groups.

“That the current gains in pipeline security should be consolidated through sustained support for coordinated surveillance frameworks that have demonstrated effectiveness.

“That any proposed reforms to pipeline surveillance arrangements must be evidence-based, guided by national interest, and subjected to rigorous security evaluation rather than driven by pressure from competing interest groups.

“That government should prioritise strengthening oversight, transparency, and accountability within existing frameworks to ensure optimal performance and public trust,” the communiqué resolved.

The forum also urged stakeholders, especially aggrieved groups, to use constructive channels to express concerns rather than disrupt operations, while calling for continuous civic education to strengthen public responsibility in protecting national assets.

“The Forum concluded that safeguarding Nigeria’s oil infrastructure requires not just participation, but precision, coordination, and a shared commitment to national stability. In this regard, participants reaffirmed that some responsibilities, by their nature, demand structured control and strategic discipline rather than broad-based distribution.

“The dialogue closed with a renewed call for unity of purpose, urging all stakeholders to place national interest above sectional considerations in the ongoing effort to secure Nigeria’s economic lifeline,” the communiqué stated.