In just one week, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, or NNPCL, has discovered 17 pipeline connections and 34 illicit refineries in the Niger Delta.
In keeping with its pledge to eradicate crude oil theft in Nigeria, NNPCL claimed in a video documentary uploaded to its official YouTube channel on Tuesday that the illicit activities were stopped during its “War On Crude Oil Theft” operations, which took place between November 30 and December 6.
The NNPCL command and control centers, Shell Petroleum Development Company, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, Maton Engineering Nigeria Limited, OANDO PLC, New Guard Security and Consultancy Limited, and government security agencies worked together to accomplish the feat, the company added.
Additionally, NNPCL clarified that it had documented 94 instances of oil theft in various regions of the states of Bayelsa, Rivers, and Abia.
“In a series of coordinated operations, illegal pipelines were discovered and dismantled at key hotspots – Ogboingbiri, Ejehinkiri, Alabelema in Bayelsa state.
“And Okrika 7 in Rivers state witnessed swift action as security forces uncovered an illicit setup used by perpetrators to exploit Nigeria’s resources.
“Repairs were carried out promptly restoring the pipelines to full functionality and fortifying the nation’s hydrocarbon infrastructure.
“The crackdown didn’t stop there. Illegal refineries met their end in Ebocha, umuajuloke community, Okrika 7, and Kumkum in Rivers State, as well as Ukwa, Uzuaku, Oza West, Odogwa, Obuzor, Oandu in Abia State and Bizeni in Bayelsa state,” the company said.
According to the NNPCL, officials discovered crude oil in bags prepared for the illicit market at a big illegal storage facility in River State’s Okrika 7.
It was disclosed that 19 individuals in all had been captured and turned over to government security services for examination.
