War on crude oil theft: NNPC Ltd. uncovers 108 illegal refineries, 35 suspects arrested

Barely 24 hours after declaring a state of emergency on crude oil production, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has uncovered 38 illegal pipeline connections and 108 illegal refineries between June 22 and June 28.

Persecondnews reports that the war on crude oil theft is in full swing, and the NNPC Ltd.’s collaborations with security agencies continue to record remarkable progress.

The oil company reported in a visual documentary late on Tuesday that it recorded a total of 256 incidences across several locations in the Niger Delta between June 22 and June 28.

The documentary revealed: “38 illegal connections were uncovered this week across several locations in the Niger Delta in Bayelsa State; several were discovered in the Nigerian Agip pipelines.

“In Rivers State, illegal pipelines were discovered, and also in Abia State.

“108 illegal refineries were deactivated in the past week; in Rivers State, a cluster of refineries were destroyed in the swamps. Watson Point 503101, Okrika, and Tumble in Rivers State—several more—were destroyed, bringing years of thriving illegal business of oil refining to a halt.

“In Southern Ijaw, Bayelsa State, eight illegal storage sites were discovered in sacks, drums, and oil pits. Two cases of oil spills were recorded in Bayelsa and Rives State.”

On land, authorities arrested 16 vehicles carrying stolen crude and illegally refined products in the states of Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa-Ibom.

According to the reports, 35 wooden boats transporting stolen crude were seized and confiscated in Bayelsa, Rivers, and Sapele in Delta State.

NNPC Ltd. noted that 32 of the incidents occurred in the Deep Blue Water, 33 in the Western region, 123 in the Central region, and 68 in the Eastern region. Between June 22 and 28, 35 suspects were arrested.

The report added: “For NNPC Ltd., there is no backing down on the war on crude oil theft until the menace is eradicated for good. To report crude oil theft or suspicious activities within your area, call 0908 555 5526 or 0908 555 5527.”

Persecondnews recalls that in an effort to increase Nigeria’s crude oil production and grow its reserves, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has declared a state of emergency on production in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Mr. Mele Kyari, disclosed this in a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 23rd edition of the Nigeria Oil & Gas Conference and Exhibition (NOG Energy Week) in Abuja on Tuesday.

“We have decided to stop the debate. We have declared war on the challenges affecting our crude oil production. War means war.

“We have the right tools. We know what to fight. We know what we have to do at the level of assets. We have engaged our partners. And we will work together to improve the situation,” the GCEO declared.