The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has reported the destruction of 134 illegal refineries over the past week and the discovery of 63 illegal pipeline connections.
In a visual report, the NNPC revealed that on Sunday at around 2 a.m., a joint team of security agents intercepted a large wooden boat illicitly loading stolen crude oil from Barge AGS01 in the OML 18 operating area. The boat was caught receiving crude oil from the barge based on credible intelligence.
The state-owned oil firm reported that while the barge was towed away by a tugboat and placed in custody, five speedboats used to transport the wooden boat to the illegal loading site were also detained. The tugboats and barge involved in the operation were seized for further investigation.
In Rivers State, two barges engaged in illegal bunkering activities were seized, and their crew members were arrested. Additionally, wooden boats transporting stolen crude oil were confiscated in Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, and Abia States.
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The NNPC noted that the 63 illegal connections were uncovered at key locations throughout the Niger Delta. Repairs were swiftly made on pipelines in Bayelsa and Abia States, where illegal connections were detected and removed.
The company emphasized that illegal refineries, which pollute the environment and drain the economy, were destroyed in states such as Rivers, Abia, and Bayelsa. In Rivers State, secret storage locations were uncovered, while in Bayelsa State, crude oil intended for the black market was seized. Law enforcement also intercepted a vehicle filled with stolen crude oil in jerry cans, and the driver was apprehended.
The NNPC’s report detailed that 48 incidents occurred in deep blue waters, 81 in the central region, 134 in the eastern region, and 39 in the western region. A total of 25 suspects were arrested and handed over to government security agencies for further investigation.
From August 31 to September 6, 2024, the NNPC identified 302 incidents across various locations in the Niger Delta. These incidents were reported by sources including Tantita Security Services, Shell Petroleum Development Company, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, Maton Engineering Company, Heirs Energies Limited, Oando PLC, NNPC’s Command and Control Centre, and government security agencies.
The NNPC vowed, “There is no backing down on the war on crude oil theft until the menace is eradicated.”
Despite ongoing efforts by security agencies, crude oil theft incidents have continued to rise. NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer Mele Kyari stated that crude theft is a significant deterrent to investor interest in the Niger Delta.
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