According to a documentary recorded between June 15 and 21, about 400 incidents of oil theft and vandalism were reported by both government and private security agencies.
Key findings include:
Illegal Connections: 69 illegal connections were discovered and disconnected in Bayelsa and Rivers States.
Oil Spills: Eight cases of oil spills due to vandalism or illegal connections were reported across the region.
Illegal Loading Point: An illegal loading point was discovered in Warri, Delta State.
Illegal Refineries: 69 illegal refineries were uncovered and dismantled in Okrika, Rivers State, with ongoing construction of an ‘oven’ for illegal refining halted. Similar sites were found in Abia and Bayelsa States.
Illegal Storage Sites: 19 storage sites filled with stolen crude and illegally refined products were found in Delta, Imo, Rivers, Abia, and Bayelsa States.
Seized Vehicles and Boats: 11 vehicles were seized in Delta, Akwa-Ibom, and Bayelsa States, and 39 boats conveying stolen crude were confiscated in Rivers, Delta, and Bayelsa States.
Arrests: Eight individuals were arrested in connection with these incidents.
This development comes amidst dwindling crude oil production and Nigeria’s struggle to meet its 1.5 million barrels per day OPEC quota. NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, emphasized the need to address security challenges in the oil and gas sector to attract investment and increase production. Kyari noted that over the past two years, NNPCL has removed more than 5,800 illegal connections and dismantled over 6,000 illegal refineries.
The continuous fight against oil theft and vandalism is crucial for Nigeria to improve its oil production and secure the necessary infrastructure for delivering oil to the market.
