The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has uncovered 165 illegal refineries across the Niger Delta in its latest crackdown on crude oil theft.
A documentary recorded between June 15 and 21 and viewed by Channels Television reveals about 400 incidents of oil theft and vandalism were reported by government and private security agencies.
The NNPCL reported the discovery of 69 illegal connections in Bayelsa and Rivers States, along with eight cases of oil spills due to vandalism. In Warri, Delta State, an illegal loading point was identified.
In Okrika, Rivers State, 69 illegal refineries were dismantled, and the construction of a crude oil refining ‘oven’ was halted. Similar sites were found in Abia and Bayelsa States. Additionally, 19 illegal storage sites filled with stolen crude and refined products were uncovered in Delta, Imo, Rivers, Abia, and Bayelsa States.
Seized assets included 11 vehicles in Delta, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa States, and 39 boats transporting stolen crude in Rivers, Delta, and Bayelsa States. Eight arrests were made in connection with these activities.
NNPCL’s Group CEO, Mele Kyari, emphasized the impact of oil theft on Nigeria’s declining crude oil production, hindering the country from meeting its 1.5 million barrels OPEC quota.
“The security challenge is real… We removed over 5,800 illegal connections and took down over 6,000 illegal refineries in the last two years. Until this problem is solved, oil production will remain a challenge,” Kyari Stated
