The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has announced that it uncovered at least 34 illegal refineries and 17 pipeline connections across the Niger Delta region within a week.
In a video documentary posted on its official YouTube channel on Tuesday, NNPC explained that these illegal activities were uncovered as part of its ‘War On Crude Oil Theft’ operations, conducted between November 30 and December 6, as the company remains committed to ending crude oil theft in Nigeria.
“This was achieved by the joint efforts of NNPCL command and control Centres, Shell Petroleum Development Company, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, Maton Engineering Nigeria Limited, OANDO PLC, New Guard Security and Consultancy Limited, and government security agencies,” the broadcast said.
The NNPC also reported a total of 94 oil theft incidents in Bayelsa, Rivers, and Abia States.
“In a series of coordinated operations, illegal pipelines were discovered and dismantled at key hotspots – Ogboingbiri, Ejehinkiri, Alabelema in Bayelsa state.
“And Okrika 7 in Rivers state witnessed swift action as security forces uncovered illicit setup used by perpetrators to exploit Nigeria’s resources.
“Repairs were carried out promptly restoring the pipelines to full functionality and fortifying the nation’s hydrocarbon infrastructure.”
The video broadcast further added, “The crackdown didn’t stop there. Illegal refineries met their end in Ebocha, Umuajuloke community, Okrika 7, and Kumkum in Rivers State, as well as Ukwa, Uzuaku, Oza West, Odogwa, Obuzor, Oandu in Abia State and Bizeni in Bayelsa state.”
NNPC also reported discovering a massive illegal storage site in Okrika 7 of Rivers State, where officials found crude oil stored in sacks, ready for the black market. Additional illegal crude oil storage sites were uncovered in Igi 3, Ibudiya 1, Eborcha, and Ukua.
“The destruction of these sites serves as a stern warning – no haven exists for crude oil theft in Nigeria,” the company noted.
Wooden fiber boats carrying stolen crude oil were also seized and destroyed on waterways at Igi 4 and Okoloma in Rivers State, and Ukwua in Abia State.
The NNPCL revealed that 19 suspects were apprehended and handed over to government security agencies for further investigation.
Highlighting the locations of the recoveries in the Niger Delta region, NNPC pointed out that “the week’s incidents spanned key corridors, 39 in the Central Corridor, 41 in the Eastern Corridor, four in the Western Corridor, and 10 in deep blue water.”
