The police will show these gangs no leniency, even though some are under the protection of local governments, who expect the stealing would boost the slack local economy.

Criminal punishments will be meted out, including the death penalty.

Criminal punishments will be meted out, including the death penalty, as stealing oil in some areas has reached such a serious level it has wrecked production facilities.

Child protection services will say: 'Hey, there's a warning flag from the police. There's another one from school. There's another one from the doctor. Something must be going on and it's time to call the parents in for a meeting.

Theft of crude oil is rampant in some regions.

Oil issues in a large, developing country like ours with relatively few of its own reserves, impact upon national security, social stability and the economy's sustainable, fast and healthy development.