At least 214 instances of oil theft have been reported to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company in the last week.
According to the NNPCL, between January 13 and January 19, 2024, it discovered 72 illicit refineries spread throughout the oil-rich Niger Delta.
The NNPCL revealed that “between the 13th and 19th of January 2024, 214 incidences (of oil theft) were recorded from various incidence sources” in the Niger Delta in a video documentary that was made available on Tuesday.
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The petroleum company claims that in the states of Rivers, Bayelsa, and Abia, “72 illegal refineries were discovered across several locations,” with Ogubolo, Rivers, in particular, “where an illegal refinery is being destroyed.”
It was reported that 42 illicit oil connections had been found in the states of Rivers, Delta, and Bayelsa.
In addition, 26 vandalism incidents in Rivers and Imo were recorded in the previous week; some of these are being fixed.
In Bayelsa, there have been two incidents of vandalism-related oil spills.
“In the Niger Delta, eight illicit storage sites were found spread throughout multiple locations. It was reported that large oil pits had been found in Rivers State’s Isiokpo and Okrika.
Similar reports state that oil sacks were found in Ohaji/Egbema in Imo, Obuzor in Abia, and Oporomor Bayelsa.
“49 wooden boats conveying stolen crude were arrested and confiscated in Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers,” the NNPC further stated.
It was also mentioned that there were eight instances of Vessel AIS violations and seven instances of vehicles transporting illicit crude in Delta.
Eight of the cases happened in the Blue Water, 28 in the Eastern region, 146 in the Central region, and 32 in the Western region of the Niger Delta, per the visual report.
The NNPCL threatened to keep up the fight against oil theft, but during the period under review, 39 people were reportedly apprehended.