The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) says it has uncovered at least 83 illegal refineries in the Niger Delta in the past week.
The company on its official X handle on Tuesday added that 15 illegal pipeline connections were also discovered within the same period.
“In the past week, 15 illegal pipeline connections and 83 illegal refineries have been uncovered in the Niger Delta”, the NNPCL said.
It further said that 211 incidents of oil theft and vandalism were reported between 6th and 12th January.
Seven cases of vandalism were recorded, including a wellhead in the Umuajuloke community in Rivers State. while an active wellhead was reportedly found with several illegal connections in Owerri.
It was also learnt that nine cases of oil spills were recorded during the period, mostly caused by vandalism, adding that Ogboinbiri in Bayelsa State has been ruined by oil spills.
NNPCL said: “Eighty-three illegal connections were spotted in Rivers, Abia, Imo and Bayelsa States.
“In Abia, a drone shot showed pockets of illegal refineries in Owaza, while illegal oil connections were discovered in Olodiama, Bayelsa State and Obuzor in Abia State’.
Five illegal oil storage sites were reportedly found in Central Boma and Cocoa Camp in Bayelsa State, while sacks of crude oil were found in Iba Rivers State and the contents confiscated.
Also, 60 wooden and fibre boats were said to have been apprehended in Akwa Ibom, Delta State, and Rivers State.
Eight of these incidents reportedly took place in the deep blue water, 54 in the Western Region, 81 in the Central region and 68 in the Eastern region
So far, the NPPCL said 22 suspects have been arrested in connection with the incidents.
No fewer than 157 incidents of crude oil theft were recorded in the Niger Delta between 30th December 2023 and 5th January 2024.
NNPCL said the cases were recorded from several incidence sources like Nigeria Agip Oil, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, Maton Engineering Limited, Tantita Security Services Limited, NNPCL Command and Control Centre, Shell Petroleum Development Company and government security agencies.
Though the NNPCL has stressed that there is no backing down against crude oil theft, it appears oil thieves are not moved.
The Federal Government had revealed that more than N4.3 trillion worth of crude oil was stolen in 7,143 pipeline vandalism cases within five years.
