Abuja, June 27, 2024 – The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) says it has uncovered another 165 illegal crude oil refineries in the Niger Delta.
The company disclosed this during its weekly programme, ‘Energy and You’.
A documentary recorded between June 15 and 21 reported about 400 incidents of oil theft and vandalism were reported by both the government and some private security agencies.
It said 69 illegal connections were discovered and disconnected in Bayelsa and Rivers states during the period.
According to the video, eight cases of oil spills owing to vandalism or illegal connections were reported across the region.
In Warri, Delta State, an illegal loading point was said to have been discovered.
The company said 69 illegal refineries were reportedly uncovered and dismantled across several swamps in Okrika, Rivers State. The ongoing construction of an ‘oven’ for illegal crude oil refining was reportedly halted.
It said similar refining sites were uncovered in different locations in Abia and Bayelsa states.
The NNPCL also said 19 illegal storage sites filled with stolen crude and illegally refined products were uncovered in Delta, Imo, Rivers, Abia and Bayelsa states.
It added that 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.
The NNPCL said eight persons were arrested in connection with the incidents.
The company said the latest developments were part of the reasons for the dwindling crude oil production and the inability of Nigeria to meet its 1.5 million barrels OPEC quota. (GBN)
