179 oil theft incidents uncovered in one week – NNPCL

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited says it uncovered 179 incidents of crude oil theft in the past week.

The company affirmed that the war on crude oil theft and vandalism rages on as industrywide security collaboration continues to safeguard hydrocarbon infrastructure.

A video released by the NNPC shows the incidents recorded between January 11 and 17 across the Niger Delta region, with 29 illegal pipeline connections and 55 illegal refineries reportedly uncovered within the period.

“Between the 11th and 17th of January 2025, a total of 179 incidents were recorded across the Niger Delta region, thanks to the coordinated efforts of NNPC Limited’s Command and Control Centre, Tantita Security Agency, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, Maton Engineering Nigeria Limited, Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited Nigeria, Liquefied Natural Gas, Oando PLC, and government security agencies,” the NNPC stated.

The state-owned energy firm disclosed that security forces in Bayelsa and Abia States uncovered illegal pipeline connections and swiftly conducted repairs on them.

It explained that the crackdown continued as security operatives dismantled illegal refineries producing black-market petroleum products in Rivers and Abia States.

It was said that the week also revealed hidden storage sites used for illegal activities in Rivers and other locations in Abia.

“Security forces exposed and destroyed these sites. Unfortunately, acts of sabotage led to several oil spills during the week, including a vandalised condensate pipeline and damaged wellheads in Rivers,” it was stated.

On the road, security teams reportedly intercepted and seized vehicles loaded with stolen crude oil in Rivers, Bayelsa, and Abia, while wooden fibre boats packed with stolen crude oil were confiscated on the waterways.

The company noted that the incidents spanned various corridors: 90 in the Central Corridor, 70 in the Eastern Corridor, five in the Western Corridor, and 14 in Deep Blue Water.

A total of 30 suspects were said to have been arrested and handed over to government security agencies for further investigation.

The NNPC said its resolve remains unshaken, and the fight against crude oil theft will continue until the menace is eradicated.

The PUNCH reports that 128 illegal refineries have been discovered in the first two weeks of the year.

Between January 4 and 10, 53 illegal pipeline connections and 73 illegal refineries were uncovered in the Niger Delta.

Oil theft has been repeatedly blamed for the country’s inability to meet its yearly oil production targets.