In the ongoing battle against oil theft and vandalism, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL, has uncovered 165 more illegal refineries scattered across different areas in the Niger Delta.
The revelation came during a recent episode of the weekly programme titled ‘Energy and You’.
The company reported that between June 15 and 21, government and private security agencies documented around 400 incidents of oil theft and vandalism.
They identified and disconnected 69 illegal connections in Bayelsa and Rivers States.
Eight cases of oil spills caused by vandalism or illegal connections in the region were also highlighted.
Moreover, an illegal loading point was discovered in Warri, Delta State.
NNPCL further disclosed that 69 illegal refineries were dismantled in various swamps in Okrika, Rivers State.
Additionally, unauthorised refining sites were found in different locations in Abia and Bayelsa States.
NNPCL also reported finding 19 illegal storage sites containing stolen crude and illegally refined products across Delta, Imo, Rivers, Abia, and Bayelsa States.
In addition to this, authorities confiscated 11 vehicles in Delta, Akwa-Ibom, and Bayelsa States, and seized 39 boats transporting stolen crude in Rivers, Delta, and Bayelsa States.
The company emphasised that eight individuals were arrested during this period in connection with these incidents.
Recall that NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, recently stated that within the last two years, over 5,800 illegal connections from the company’s pipelines were removed.