The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) is ramping up its efforts to combat crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region as it unveils the discovery of 223 fresh illegal connections and illegal refineries.
In a revealing two-minute video obtained by Channels Television on Wednesday, it was disclosed that these incidents occurred between the 10th and 16th of February 2024. The breakdown of the discoveries indicates that 27 of the incidences were traced to Matron Engineering facilities, 21 to Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, 7 to Shell Petroleum Development Company facilities, 4 to Tantite Security Services Ltd, and a staggering 156 incidences were recorded at facilities owned by government security agencies.
Further details revealed that 20 illegal connections were uncovered in Okirika, Rivers State, Bayelsa State, and Delta State, while illegal refineries were found scattered across Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, and Abia states.
The video footage showcased sacks of crude oil discovered in Warri, alongside seized cans of crude oil in Edo State. Additionally, more oil sacks were seized in Olobiri, Bayelsa State. Vandalized wellheads and pipelines were spotted in Bayelsa, while vehicles used for operations by the oil thieves were confiscated in Ole, Ugheli, and Warri in Delta State.
NNPCL reported that 52 suspects have been apprehended thus far in connection with these illicit activities. In terms of geographical distribution, the State Oil Company stated that 8 incidents were recorded in deep blue waters, 32 in the western region, 123 in the central region, and 60 in the eastern region of the Niger Delta.
Mele Kyari, the Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, reiterated the company’s unwavering commitment to eradicating the menace of crude oil theft, emphasizing, “For NNPC Limited, there is no backing down on the war on crude oil theft until the menace is eradicated.”