Oil Theft: NNPC Ltd, Security Agencies Uncover 33 Illegal Connections, Destroy 72 Refineries

…Arrest 42 Suspects, Uncover 12 Sites Used In Storing Stolen Crude

…Records 204 Incidents Of Crude Oil Theft In One Week

Working in partnership with private and government security agencies, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd has uncovered 33 fresh illegal crude oil connections in the Niger Delta region.

The 33 illegal connections were uncovered in Ebubu,and Akwa Odogwa in Rivers state, Otokutu and Otor Eboh in Delta state, and Twonkubu, Fantuo, Igbeta-Ewoama, Okpoama and Ondawari in Bayelsa state.

This is just as the National Oil Company in partnership with security agencies destroyed 72 Illegal refineries and arrested 42 suspected crude oil thieves.

The discoveries and arrests were made in the Niger Delta region within a one week period covering August 18 and 23.

Details of the operation which were revealed in a video posted on the NNPC social media handles revealed that the security agencies also uncovered 12 sites used in storing stolen crude oil while over 204 incidents of crude oil theft were recorded during the period.

It was revealed that on the 18th of August, 2024, a vessel MV –Shantel, was arrested by security operatives from Operation Delta Safe with 12 suspects onboard at Benisede, Southern Ijaw Local Government, Bayelsa State.

The tugboat was said to have been caught loaded with stolen flowlines from Shell Petroleum Development Company. The implication of this, it was gathered is that not only did the thieves break the pipelines in order to connect their pipes, but they also harvested oil pipelines as well.

The Operation Delta Safe Commander, Rear Admiral John Okeke, was said to have visited the location while the 12 arrested suspects are currently in custody for further investigation.

It was also revealed that 46 Vessel Automatic Identification System infractions were also recorded at sea, while 24 wooden boats conveying stolen crude were apprehended in Rivers and Bayelsa state.

On land, several vehicles loaded with stolen crude were apprehended in Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers state

The 72 illegal refineries were discovered and destroyed in Biseni, Nanibe, Okrika, Bille, Emuoha Vand Okarki in Rivers state, in Delta and Obuzor in Abia state.

Similarly, eight cases of oil spill as a result of vandalism were recorded during the period while 12 sites used for storing stolen crude and illegally refined products were uncovered in Bayelsa, Rivers and Delta state.

About 47 of these incidents took place in the deep blue water, 10 in the western region, 100 in the central region and 47 in the eastern region.

The NNPC Ltd said that there is no backing down on the war on crude oil theft until the menace is eradicated.

The latest discovery is coming barely one week when the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd Mr. Mele Kyari, called on the military to sustain the war against crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism, saying the current onslaught against the menace has yielded improved growth in the nation’s crude oil production.

Kyari had made this appeal when he received the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led senior military officers on a courtesy visit to the NNPC Towers in Abuja.

“I personally call for enhanced and sustained security engagement. This is because we have reached a new peak in production that we haven’t seen in the last three years.

“This is clearly related to the sustained efforts by the armed forces and other security agencies to protect our critical assets, particularly the pipeline infrastructure in specified areas where we are working closely with these agencies. We are already seeing the results transforming into increased production,” Kyari stated.

The GCEO, who commended General Musa and his team for their unwavering commitment to securing the nation’s critical hydrocarbon assets especially in the Niger Delta region in recent months, emphasized that these achievements are not only crucial to Nigeria but also to the global energy community.

He expressed confidence that the CDS and his team will deliver on the Presidential mandate to mitigate security-related challenges affecting the nation’s crude oil production.

Kyari said, “Components of this effort that depend on security are being effectively managed by you. Your coordinated and focused response is paving the way for improved security engagement, particularly in the Niger Delta.”

General Musa had said the visit was intended to introduce the Monitoring Team to the NNPC Ltd, which will be responsible for interfacing with the Company and other stakeholders in the oil-producing regions to secure the nation’s critical hydrocarbon infrastructure.

While pledging commitment towards improving security and the performance of his troops, the CDS said the military will sustain the onslaught and analyse the troops’ capabilities to enhance their performance and bolster productivity.

He stressed the need to ramp up production for a prosperous economy and reassured collaboration with intelligence agencies, private security, state governments, and host communities for enhanced performance.

“Working in silos won’t give us the best results. I want to assure you that we will collaborate with the necessary stakeholders to achieve our set targets as mandated by Mr. President,” he added.

Oil Theft: NNPC Ltd, Security Agencies Uncover 33 Illegal Connections, Destroy 72 Refineries is first published on The Whistler Newspaper