By Ayomide Otitoju
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has disclosed that 72 illegal crude oil refining sites were uncovered and destroyed across Rivers, Delta, and Abia states in the past week. This was revealed in a video report released by the state-owned energy firm.
In a significant operation on August 18, security forces from Operation Delta Safe apprehended a vessel with 12 suspects onboard in the Southern Ijaw area of Bayelsa State. The vessel was found to be loaded with stolen flow lines belonging to Shell Petroleum Development Company, indicating that the criminals not only broke into pipelines to siphon crude oil but also harvested the oil pipelines themselves.
The NNPC confirmed that the 12 suspects are currently in custody for further investigation. The operation also recorded 46 infractions involving vessel automatic identification systems at sea, and 24 wooden boats transporting stolen crude were seized in Rivers and Bayelsa States.
On land, several vehicles loaded with stolen crude were intercepted in Delta, Rivers, and Bayelsa States. Additionally, 33 illegal connections to oil pipelines were uncovered in the three states.
During the same period, eight oil spills resulting from vandalism were reported, and 12 sites used for storing stolen crude and illegally refined products were discovered. The NNPC further revealed that between August 17 and 23, a total of 204 incidents of oil theft were recorded across various regions.
Of these incidents, 47 occurred in deep blue waters, 10 in the western region, 100 in the central region, and 47 in the eastern region. In connection with these activities, 42 suspects have been arrested.
