The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has said security operatives discovered 220 illegal refineries in Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, and Abia States in one week.
This was disclosed in its documentary titled: “War on Crude Oil Theft,” posted on its X handle.
It said: “In the past week, 220 illegal refineries were discovered and confiscated in Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Abia States.”
NNPCL said in the period under review, 33 suspects were arrested.
The company said the war on crude oil theft is on and the industry-wise security collaboration on hydrocarbon infrastructure continues to record remarkable progress.
NNPCL noted that oil gushes from an illegal connection on a major pipeline in Brass, Bayelsa State.
It further said 33 illegal connections were also uncovered in Ikesi in West Boma, Sapele, Brass, and Tukubu in Bayelsa State, where a vandalized pipeline is undergoing repair.
The documentary said 15 vandalized pipelines in the wellhead were reported in Delta states leading to five cases of oil spill in several sites.
It noted that 15 illegal storage sites housing reservoirs and sacks of stolen crude were seized in Delta, Rivers, and Imo States.
NNPCL said 48 (Virtual Artificial Intelligence System (VAI infractions were reported at sea while 63 wooden boats were seized.
The state-owned company said on land, 11 vehicle arrests were made in Rivers and Delta States.
The documentary added that 48 of these incidences took place in the deep blue water, 25 in the western region, 112 in the central region, and 231 in the eastern region.
NNPCL vowed “There is no backing down on the war against crude oil theft.”
