Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has appointed Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Bayonle Kafar Sulaiman as the new commander of the Inspector-General of Police Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering (IGP-STFPIB).
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, announced the appointment, emphasizing the IGP’s commitment to tackling pipeline vandalism and oil theft.
DCP Sulaiman, who previously served as Squadron Commander of Police Mobile Force (MOPOL 20) in Lagos, has a strong track record in similar operations.
As the new commanding officer of IGP-STFPIB, DCP Sulaiman has been tasked with leading efforts to eliminate illegal activities in the petroleum industry, including oil theft, illegal bunkering, and pipeline vandalism. 
The IGP condemned oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and illegal bunkering, highlighting their severe environmental, economic, and energy security impacts. He stressed the financial losses and environmental damage caused by these crimes, including oil spills, pollution, and habitat destruction.
IGP Egbetokun instructed DCP Sulaiman to firmly enforce laws and prosecute those involved in these illegal activities, aiming to prevent economic sabotage in Nigeria’s oil sector.
He also called on stakeholders in the oil industry and Nigerians to cooperate with the police and other security agencies by sharing credible intelligence to combat these crimes effectively.
ACP Adejobi said, “The Inspector-General of Police has also condemned in serious terms the trend of oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and illegal bunkering which pose significant threats to the environment, economy, and energy security.
“He emphasized that these illegal activities not only result in significant financial losses but also devastating environmental consequences, including oil spills, pollution, and habitat destruction.
“He orders the Commander to hold firmly the reins of the office and ensure deterrence by prosecuting all individuals found culpable, and deploy his assets to prevent economic sabotage in the upper and downstream of our oil sector in Nigeria.
“The IGP further appeals to all relevant stakeholders in the oil industry and well-meaning Nigerians to work hand-in-hand with the Police and other security agencies to collectively curb this menace and share credible intelligence with security agencies to expose any untoward plans promoting this crime and others alike in the country.”
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