The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL) says it recorded 157 incidents of crude oil theft across the Niger Delta between December 30, 2023 and January 5, 2024.
In a documented post on X on Tuesday, the national oil firm listed the incidence sources to include Nigeria AGIP Oil Company, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), Maton Engineering Ltd, Tantita Security Services Ltd.
Other highlighted sources are the NNPCL Command and Control Center, SPDC and government security agencies.
The report states: “In the past week, 52 illegal refineries were discovered in Obuzo and Owaza in Abia State, Ohaji/Egbema in Imo State, Rumuekpe in Rivers State and Otuesegha in Bayelsa State, all the refineries discovered were destroyed.
“32 illegal refineries were uncovered in several part of Bayelsa State, Delta State and Rivers State, illegal connections were also removed and repaired along the central corridor in the Niger Delta, while seven illegal storage sites were uncovered in parts of Akwa-Ibom State.
“Buried drums of crude were unearthed and some discovered in bushes, in Operoma in Bayelsa State and Oleh-Okpari in Warri Delta State, sacks of stolen crude were confiscated, also in Delta State, drums filled with stolen crude were found in the river.
“Oil well head were vandalized in Okrika and Ebocha, in Rivers State were the protection around the well head did not stand a chance.”
Meanwhile, in the documented video, NNPCL said 12 vehicles conveying stolen crude were impounded in the past week across several locations in Rivers and Delta States.
In addition, 25 wooden boats conveying stolen crude were arrested and confiscated.
According to the report, nine of the incidents took place in the deep blue water, 45 in the Eastern region, 95 in the central region and eight in the western region.
NNPCL said: “Between the 30th of December 2023 to the 4th of January 2024, 17 suspects were arrested.”
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