TheCable

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited says it recorded 149 incidences of crude oil theft across the Niger Delta in one week.

NNPC, in a documentary on its social media handle on Tuesday, said the incidents occurred from October 14 to October 20, 2023.

The oil firm, speaking on one of the incidents, said an illegal oil bunkering site was uncovered in Osuobodo “between two ANTAN flow stations south of Oguta naval base in Imo state”.

“Far from the regular, these criminals have taken their activities a notch higher. In this camp, CCTV cameras have been installed on trees by the thieves to look out for security operatives,” the national oil company said.

“Mortar launchers and defence systems were also mounted by the oil thieves in various locations to eliminate any perceived enemy.”

The discovery, NNPC said, was made possible after an invasion by the military following information gathered by air surveillance carried out by Target Energy, Tantita Security Services, Operation Delta Safe, and the military in August.

“It is a well-orchestrated mission. The thieves are determined to live here and trade their stolen crude. A lack of electricity is not an excuse. Generators are on standby to keep the camp’s operations afloat,” NNPC said.

The company said drums of crude oil feeding from an illegal connection, bags used for storing crude and other items were discovered at the site.

“Between the 14th to 20th of October, 2023, 49 illegal connections were uncovered in Udu & Ogharefe in Delta State, Ohaji Egbema in Imo, Brass in Bayelsa and in Rivers state,” the NNPC added.

“At this spot in Rivers state, oil thieves drilled a tunnel underneath the tarred road to insert their illegal connection.

“The aim is to operate undetected. This was expected to be planned and carried out by an expert, using a horizontal directional drilling machine.

“Sixteen cases of pipeline vandalism were also recorded this week in Azuzu in Bayelsa state and Obodo Omadina and Ogidigbein in Delta state where a wellhead was vandalised.”

In Ozuaku in Abia state, NNPC said a vandalised pipeline is undergoing repairs, noting that 10 facilities used for storing stolen crude were also uncovered in various locations in the Niger Delta in the past week.

“In Ekpemu in Delta state, an interesting discovery was made,” the firm said.

“More storage facilities were discovered in Ogborode, Ugborodo and Kwale in Delta State, Tomble and Emuoha in Rivers state and Yenagoa in Bayelsa state.”

The NNPC said vehicles conveying sacks of crude oil were confiscated in Ozoro, Umuosonwu, and Patani in Delta.

“Five vehicle arrests were made between the 14 and 20th of October, 2023,” the national oil company said.

“Eighteen wooden boats conveying stolen crude were apprehended this week in Rivers, Delta and Imo states.”

According to NNPC, nine of the incidents took place in the deep blue water, 23 in the western region, 67 in the central region, and 50 in Nigeria’s eastern region.