TheCable

The Nigerian navy has evacuated equipment of suspected oil thieves on oil mining lease (OML) 18, in Elem Krakama creek in Degema LGA of Rivers state.

Speaking to journalists at the site on Saturday, Suleman Ibrahim, commander of the Nigerian navy ship (NNS) pathfinder, said the discovery led to the dismantling of multiple pipelines buried in the ground.

He said the equipment was used in siphoning crude on oil well 17 operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.

The commander said its patrol helicopter noticed the unlawful activities on July 11, 2023, and that the excavation exercise was done in collaboration with the NNPC. 

He expressed shock at the level of expertise deployed by the suspects, saying the syndicate was sophisticated.

“We came here with members of NNPC, OML 18 resources, they are the owners of the well,” he said. 

“We came with our heavy equipment to make sure we dismantle the illegal structures that are being used to siphon crude illegally.

“A lot of pipes have been recovered from the wellhead and we have disconnected where they are being connected to.

“As an individual, what I have seen here is way beyond what I have seen elsewhere. The level of sophistication is beyond our imagination.

“The individuals involved had taken their time and done a lot of measurements and did welding on-site.”

He said the cartel involved in the act is being tracked, noting that they will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.

WELLHEAD DISCOVERED ON OML 18 IN ASARI-TORU LGA

Speaking further, Ibrahim said the navy uncovered another tapped wellhead at Kala Ekweama in Asari-Toru LGA, in the OML 18 oil field.

The commander said the NNPC OML18 technical staff have been to the second location (Kala Ekweama) and they have done their assessment.

Ibrahim said as a result, work would soon start at both sites to guarantee that the areas that have been compromised are fixed. 

Meanwhile, he said four suspects involved in illegal oil bunkering were apprehended in a separate event.

The navy commander said though the four suspects reside in Borikiri in Port Harcourt, they hail from the southern Ijaw axis of Bayelsa state.