More woes for oil thieves as new Naval Chief, Abbas, vows to use AI to tackle oil theft and other maritime crimes

The newly appointed Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas, says the Nigerian Navy will adopt advanced technology such as drones and artificial intelligence to strengthen maritime security and curb oil th£ft, PM News reports.

Speaking during his Senate screening on Wednesday, Abbas said the Navy will shift from fuel-heavy patrols to tech-driven surveillance for faster and more cost-efficient operations.

“We will incorporate more technology, including the use of drones, to tackle maritime crime. A lot of resources are currently wasted fueling boats to reach remote areas. Technology will help us respond faster and more effectively,” he said.

Abbas also rejected proposals to establish a separate coast guard, arguing it would duplicate the Navy’s existing roles. “The Nigerian Navy already performs coast guard functions. Creating another agency would be unnecessary. It’s better to channel funds into strengthening naval operations,” he stated.

On oil theft, he acknowledged that most incidents happen in hard-to-reach creeks but said improved drone surveillance and digital monitoring would help detect and shut down illegal siphoning points.

“The th£ft may seem small individually, but when accumulated, it becomes substantial. We’re exploring drone technology to monitor and plug these leakages,” he noted.

Abbas expressed support for rehabilitation programs for repentant criminals but said they must be balanced with empathy for victims’ families. He also called for closer collaboration among security and intelligence agencies to enhance national security.

Rear Admiral Abbas was among the newly appointed service chiefs announced by President Bola Tinubu, alongside Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede (Chief of Defence Staff), Major General W. Shaibu (Chief of Army Staff), and Air Vice Marshal S. K. Aneke (Chief of Air Staff).

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