Security operatives in the Niger Delta region have uncovered 66 illegal crude oil refineries and 21 illegal pipeline connections in an ongoing crackdown on oil theft and sabotage. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) revealed these findings in a documentary titled “The War on Crude Oil Theft: 21st to 27th September 2021.”
According to NNPCL, 172 incidents were detected and reported during the week under review, highlighting the extensive operations to dismantle illegal infrastructure. Collaborating with Tantita Security, Shell Petroleum Development Company, and other agencies, NNPCL reported significant success in shutting down these operations.
The incidents spanned across various regions, with 61 cases in the central corridors, 59 in the eastern corridors, 19 in the western corridors, and 33 in deep waters. In areas such as Owada in Abia State, and Brass and Okpotuani in Bayelsa State, security forces destroyed illegal pipelines and refineries.
The crackdown extended to Rivers and Delta states, where illegal refineries in towns like Okputumbi, Nanabie, and Ayaba were dismantled. Hidden storage sites in places like Kunshu, West Borma, and Ahoada were also uncovered, with vehicles and boats carrying stolen crude oil intercepted.
NNPCL vowed to continue its fight against crude oil theft, stating, “For NNPC Limited, there is no backing down on the war on crude oil theft until the menace is eradicated for good.”
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