The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has discovered 122 illegal oil refining sites within the past week across the Niger Delta region, intensifying its fight against oil theft and vandalism.
In a recent documentary released by the NNPCL, the company detailed the extensive efforts made to tackle the rampant issue. Among the discoveries were 65 illegal pipeline connections, which were promptly removed in Rivers State and other parts of the oil-rich Niger Delta.
One of the major busts involved a filling station in Grey Creek, Akwa Ibom State, which was sealed for selling illegally refined fuel to motorists. The incident is part of a broader crackdown that recorded 310 incidents of oil-related crimes between May 18 and 24.
The illegal refineries were primarily found in areas such as Tomble II, III, IV, and Umuajuloke in Rivers State, as well as Oporomor III, Eduwini, and Ajatiton in Bayelsa State. Additionally, vandalised wellheads were discovered in Tomble IV, Rivers State, and Egbema in Imo State, with one pit filled with crude oil from a damaged wellhead also found.
NNPCL’s extensive operations led to the identification of five illegal storage sites containing oil stored in sacks, pits, cans, and even within a filling station. Twenty vehicles, including a tanker, were seized in Delta and Imo states, while 29 boats transporting crude oil or illegally refined products were confiscated across various creeks in Bayelsa and Delta states. The operations resulted in the arrest of 33 suspects connected to these illegal activities.
NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, stated the critical need to address the security challenges in the oil and gas sector to boost production. He said that ongoing theft and vandalism impact the nation’s crude oil output. Kyari pointed out that over 5,800 illegal pipeline connections have been removed, and more than 6,000 illegal refineries dismantled in the past two years, underscoring the severity of the security issues facing the industry.
