The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has said 220 illegal refineries, and 33 illegal connections were discovered while a total of 416 incidences were recorded in Nigeria between 10-16 August, 2024.
It added that 22 vandalism were recorded, 62 arrests of wooden/fiber boats and 11 vehicle arrests were made while there were 5 oil spills, 15 illegal storage locations and 48 vessels AIS infractions.
It identified the states where these incidences occurred to include Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Abia.
Giving a summary of incidences recorded within the period under review, it stated that Tantita Security Services recorded, 9; Shell Petroleum Development Company, (SPDC) 1, Pipeline Infrastructure of Nigeria Limited (PINL), 19; Maton Engineering Company, 41; Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC), 39: NNPC Ltd Command and Control Centre 48, and government security agencies 259.
These were contained in a video note on “War on crude oil theft,’ posted on the X of NNPC Ltd on Tuesday.
It said: “In the past week, 33 illegal pipeline connections and 220 illegal refineries have been uncovered. Oil gushed from an illegal connection on a major pipeline in Brass, Bayelsa State. 33 illegal connections were also uncovered in Ikete, West Buma, Sapale, Brass and Toum Ibum in Bayelsa State where a vandalized pipeline is undergoing repairs. Others were found in Toumb 4 in Rivers State.
“Between 10 and 16th of August 2024, 416 cases were reported by several incident sources, Tantita Security Services, Shell Petroleum Development Company, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria limited, Maton Engineering Company, Nigeria Agip Oil Company, NNPC Command Centre and Government security agencies.
“In the past week, 220 illegal refineries were discovered and confiscated in Rivers State, Delta, Bayelsa and Abia state. Vandalised pipelines and wellheads were reported in Delta and River State leading to five cases of oil spill. 15 illegal storing sites housing reservoirs and sacks of stolen crude were seen in Delta, Rivers and Imo States. 48 VIS infractions were reported at sea while 62 boats were seized on land. 11 vehicular arrests were made in Rivers and Delta States.
“48 of these incidences took place in the deep waters, 25 in Western region, 112 in the central region, 231 in the eastern region. Between 10-16 August 2024; 33 suspects were arrested.”
