In its relentless pursuit against crude oil theft, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has revealed the discovery of 83 illegal refineries and the arrest of 22 suspects within the past week in the Niger Delta.
The disclosure came through the NNPCL’s official communication channel on Tuesday, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to combat illicit activities in the region.
In addition to the illegal refineries, the company identified 15 unauthorized pipeline connections during the same period.
In a documentary shared on its platform, the NNPCL reported a staggering 211 incidents of oil theft and vandalism between January 6 and 12, 2023.
The company underscored the severity of the issue, highlighting the challenges posed by criminal activities such as oil theft.
A noteworthy development involved the interception of an illegal crude oil vessel loaded with thousands of metric tonnes of crude. The vessel’s 23-member crew was subsequently apprehended.
The NNPCL, along with its partners, orchestrated this operation as part of their joint commitment to curbing crude oil theft.
In a statement, the Group CEO of NNPC Ltd, Mr. Mele Kyari, and Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, inspected the intercepted vessel named MT Kali in Oporoza, Warri, Delta State.
The vessel was halted while loading directly from an offshore platform in Bayelsa State.
General Musa affirmed the military’s dedication to collaborating with national oil firms and various security agencies to combat crude oil theft.
He emphasized the impact of such criminal activities on the nation, stating, “The country is bleeding, and we need all funds to develop as a nation. It is by stopping these acts of criminality that we will be able to achieve that dream.”
In a separate post, the NNPCL reiterated the discovery of 83 illegal refineries and 15 unauthorized pipeline connections during the past week.
This follows the company’s recent revelation of 52 illegal refineries and 32 unauthorized pipeline connections in the Niger Delta, with incidents recorded in Abia, Imo, Rivers, and Bayelsa states.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, the NNPCL detailed incidents of oil theft recorded from various sources, urging a collective effort to eradicate criminality in Nigerian waters.
The company’s commitment remains steadfast in addressing the challenges posed by illegal refining and pipeline connections in the Niger Delta region.
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