BY SAM OTUONYE
In a show of resilience and capacity, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has announced the discovery and confiscation of products from 63 illegal refineries in the past week.
The development was revealed in a documentary released by the apex oil firm recently, which highlighted the ongoing battle against crude oil theft in the country.
According to the NNPC Ltd, a total of 177 incidents were recorded between August 3 and 9, involving illegal activities such as pipeline connections and oil theft. The incidents were reported by various sources, including Tantita Security Services (TSS), Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), Maton Engineering Company, NNPC Operating Ltd, NNPC Command and Control Centre, and government security agencies.
The 63 illegal refineries were discovered and confiscated in Bayelsa, Rivers, Abia, Imo, and Delta States, with a vandalised and barricaded oil wellhead also uncovered in Bayelsa State.
The company further disclosed that during the week under review, 19 illegal pipeline connections were recovered, and repairs were carried out at different locations in Bayelsa and Rivers States.
Additionally, 17 vehicles and 15 wooden boats carrying stolen crude oil were seized in communities across Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom States, with reported arrests of 16 suspects in connection with the incidents.
The ongoing issues surrounding crude oil theft have recently drawn criticisms from prominent Nigerians, including billionaire businessman, Tony Elumelu, who alleged that the government is in a position to know those behind the illegal activities.
Elumelu in a recent interview with the Financial Times of London, expressed frustration over the inability of the government and security agencies to identify and apprehend those responsible for the theft of Nigeria’s crude oil.
He revealed that oil thieves continue to siphon 18 percent of the crude produced from his field, stating, “This is oil theft; we are not talking about stealing a bottle of Coke that you can put in your pocket. The government should know; they should tell us.”