In this exclusive interview with Valuechain’s Kabir Lawal and Emmanuel Peter, Major Maxwell Eje Alexander (Rtd), a renowned security expert with wealth of experience in protecting critical infrastructure, particularly oil refinery pipelines shares his expertise. As a certified protection professional with the American Society for Corporate Security (ASIS) and a veteran of the Nigerian Army, Major Alexander brings a unique perspective to the challenges facing pipeline security in Nigeria. Excerpts:
With a distinguished military career spanning multiple units, including the Guards Brigade, where he protected three Nigerian presidents, and specialised training in Special Forces, marine and fibrous warfare, and paratrooping, Major Alexander is well-equipped to share insights on pipeline security.
Excerpts:
Could you please introduce yourself, Sir?
I am Maj. Maxwell Eje Alexander (Rtrd), a certified protection professional (ASIS), ASIS is the American Society for Corporate Security, it is the preeminent body for security professionals worldwide and our certification is the most recognised and sought after; the certified protection professional is the gold standard for security worldwide. I am a member of the 32 Regular Combatant Course of the Nigeria Defence Academy. I started my military career at the Nigerian Military School in Zaria; a citadel of discipline in the country. I retired as a Major from the Nigeria Army after serving in the Guards Brigade; my unit protected up to three Heads of State, Gen. Abacha, Gen. Abdulsalam and Gen. Obasanjo. I served in various military units, and my occupational speciality is Special Forces, I am a Marine… I was trained by ten Special Forces groups of the United States Special Forces. I also specialise in marine and fibrous warfare and specialised warfare and I am a paratrooper; an airborne pathfinder and a jump master, that is, a first-class paratrooper, and leader of paratroopers. As a retired officer, I am also the Managing Director and Chief Executive of Eagle Shield Security Services. We are also into defence consulting and defence contracting.
What are the most significant threats to oil refinery pipeline security, and how have they evolved in recent years?
The most significant threats are the activities of illegal bunkers in the riverine areas where these pipelines are sited. And of course, there are pipelines from South-South to the North. The vulnerability that we have is a lack of adequate surveillance of these pipelines, though the government has done a lot, it is a herculean task to be able to secure pipelines over a big country like Nigeria. Notwithstanding, looking at the importance of these infrastructures, and the importance of the resources that come out of those pipelines, it is imperative to secure the pipelines. There are sophisticated surveillance equipment that can be deployed to ensure that they are well monitored and of course, well-trained security officials to be able to monitor those pipelines.
What measures can be taken to prevent physical attacks on pipelines, such as sabotage or terrorism?
That’s what I mentioned; we have what we call technical surveillance – technical surveillance has to do with equipment that can be used to monitor those pipelines. They can also use sophisticated intrusion detection devices. Those devices, once activated, and if there is any infringement, they will sound the alarm, and if you have security officials that are deployed to monitor, they will also spring into action to arrest the criminals involved. Still talking about surveillance, helicopters can be deployed to monitor the wide area that is covered and drones too, that is, unmanned vehicles. We have unmanned air vehicles with effective command centres; when you have such centres where UAVs can be sent to monitor over a long distance and bring in information, this will go a long way to achieving the desired goal of protecting the pipelines from attacks.
How do you see pipeline security evolving in the future, and what new challenges or threats might emerge?
You know, we discovered that crimes evolve over time, and as crimes are evolving over time, you’ll also find out that yes, technology also is improving. I envisage that as the authorities become more serious with regard to the protection of the critical infrastructure of the nation, I envisage the fact that well-trained security officials, especially, in situations where the private sector of corporate security can now be effectively trained to supplement; we are talking about the convergence of public and private security so that our troops, you know, our Nigerian soldiers are overstretched and I recommend that we should have not less than twenty divisions. As big as this country is, we need to have not less than twenty divisions in this country with accompanying improvements in the Air Force and Naval area. And as I said earlier, unmanned vehicles are very important, if we need to evolve into something good. We also need effective forces that will be able to enforce the protection. When we say enforcing protection, we mean when there are infringements, the forces will be able to adequately respond.
What advice would you give to pipeline operators looking to strengthen their security posture?
Well, pipeline operators are supposed to carry out what we call vulnerability assessment, a comprehensive vulnerability assessment or survey. After carrying it out, then they will begin to carry out what we call effective security countermeasures. There are a lot of countermeasures coming from the barriers; where they need to put barriers, where they need to put command centres, where they need to deploy drones, that is, unmanned vehicles, where they need to deploy trained security officials rather than soldiers who are expected to be deployed for more strategic tactical operations, it is better to use professionalised well-trained security officials. Additionally, the Navy should be able to carry out responsibilities allotted to the Coast Guards; you know, in the US, they have what they call the Coast Guard. With these comprehensive responsibilities, definitely, our pipelines will be protected.
As a veteran, how would you assess the level of achievement of security personnel concerning pipeline vandalism in Nigeria so far?
I think the security officials have been doing their best, especially the Navy, based on the equipment available to them. The Navy is vested with the responsibility of protecting the pipelines and any other type of security by some local community arrangement or vigilantes, they are just complementing. The main force that protects pipelines and such infrastructures in the coastlines is the Nigerian Navy. We also have the Army Marine and Fibrous Forces, I was a pioneer instructor of Marine and Fibrous Forces in the Army.
What advice do you have for the oil and gas sector concerning pipeline security?
The advice that I will have, is that they should deploy well-trained and professional forces to be able to protect the pipelines, not only that, but they should also deploy technical features. When I say technical features, it brings us back to unmanned vehicles and unmanned ground vehicles and also Marine-operated vehicles, when you talk of assault crafts and all that, that can penetrate the creeks. The country also has other resources like solid minerals, solid minerals are alternative resources that can enhance the economy of the country. There is a need to ensure the exploration of these minerals to complement oil where the pipelines are involved.