According to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), over the previous week, security personnel discovered 63 illicit refineries and 19 unauthorised pipeline connections.
“In the past week, 19 illegal pipeline connections and 63 illegal refineries have been uncovered,” said the state – owned company.
The NNPCL disclosed this in their report on the “War on Crude Oil Theft,” which was released from August 3rd to August 9th, 2024.
According to the data, there were 177 cases at various incidence sources.
The reports, according to NNPCL, came from government security agencies, Shell Petroleum Development Company, Pipeline Infrastructure Nig Ltd, NNPCL 18 Operating Limited, and Tantita Security sources.
Nineteen illicit connections were found in Rives, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom States in the last week, according to the report.
It further stated that the 63 illicit refineries were found and taken into custody in Delta State and Bayelsa State’s Oliobiri.
According to the report, stolen crude oil was found in River State. The NNPCL also mentioned that 17 cars were taken into custody in the states of Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom.
According to the report, fifteen wooden boats carrying crude oil were seized in the states of Rivers and Bayelsa.
According to NNPCL, 76 of the incidents occurred in the eastern region, 21 in the western region, and 29 in the central region. Of these, 51 occurred in the deep blue water.
The NNPCL reported that 16 people were taken into custody during the review period.
The report vowed “For NNPC Limited there is no backing down on the war against crude oil theft until the menace is eradicated for good.”
