The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has discovered and confiscated 63 illegal refineries in the past week across Bayelsa, Rivers, Abia, Imo, and Delta States.
Between August 3 and 9, a total of 177 incidents related to oil theft were recorded by various sources, including Tantita Security Services, Shell Petroleum Development Company, and government security agencies.
The NNPC also recovered 19 illegal pipeline connections and confiscated 15 wooden boats used to transport stolen crude.
Additionally, 17 vehicles were seized, and 16 suspects were arrested in connection with these illegal activities.
The discovery of stolen crude in oil reservoirs and a vandalized barricaded oil wellhead further highlights the ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s upstream oil sector.
Crude oil theft remains a major obstacle to increasing Nigeria’s oil production, with prominent figures like businessman Tony Elumelu urging the government to identify those responsible for large-scale theft.
Elumelu noted that oil theft continues to significantly impact operations, with criminal gangs stealing about 18% of crude from his pipelines.
Source: PUNCH