The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited says it uncovered 149 cases of crude oil theft across the Niger Delta from 14th to October 20, 2023.
In a statement on Tuesday, the company said in one of the incidents, an oil bunkering site was uncovered in Osuobodo between two ANTAN flow stations, south of Oguta naval base in Imo State.
It stated, “Far from the regular, these criminals have taken their activities a notch higher. In this camp, the thieves have installed CCTV cameras on trees to look out for security operatives. Mortar launchers and defence systems were also mounted by the oil thieves in various locations to eliminate any perceived enemy.”
This discovery, NNPCL 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 stated, “It is a well-orchestrated mission. The thieves are determined to live here and trade their stolen crude. A lack of electricity is no excuse. Generators are on standby to keep the camp’s operations afloat.”
It noted that drums of crude oil feeding from an illegal connection, bags used for storing crude and more were discovered on the camp.
Again, it said, “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.”
In Ozuaku in Abia State, NNPCL said a vandalised pipeline was currently being repaired.
10 facilities used for storing stolen crude were also uncovered in various locations in the Niger Delta in the past week.
It stated, “In Ekpemu in Delta State, an interesting discovery was made.
“More storage facilities were discovered in Ogborode, Ugborodo and Kwale in Delta State, Tomble and Emuoha in Rivers and Yenagoa in Bayelsa”.
In Ozoro, Umuosonwu and Patani in Delta State, NNPCL said vehicles conveying sacks of crude oil were impounded and their content confiscated.
Five vehicles were impounded in the period under review.
Eighteen wooden boats conveying stolen crude were apprehended this week in Rivers, Delta and Imo states.
Accordingly, NNPCL stated that nine oil theft incidents occurred in the deep blue water, 23 in the western region, 67 in the central region and 50 in Nigeria’s Eastern Region.
