By Publisher
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has announced the discovery of additional 165 illegal refineries in various locations across the Niger Delta.
This was disclosed in a recent weekly programme of the company, titled, ‘Energy and You’, amid the fight against oil theft and vandalism.
According to the company, about 400 incidents of oil theft and vandalism were reported by both the government and private security agencies between June 15 and 21, 2024.
It added that 69 illegal connections were discovered and disconnected in Bayelsa and Rivers States alone.
The firm further noted that no fewer than eight cases of oil spills owing to vandalism or illegal connections were reported across the region.
Additionally, NNPCL disclosed that an illegal loading point was discovered in Warri, Delta State.
It also announced that 69 illegal refineries were reportedly uncovered and dismantled across several swamps in Okrika, Rivers State, as well as refining sites in different locations in Abia and Bayelsa States.
It added that 19 illegal storage sites filled with stolen crude and illegally refined products were discovered in Delta, Imo, Rivers, Abia and Bayelsa. States.
Furthermore, the company disclosed the seizure of 11 vehicles in Delta, Akwa-Ibom and Bayelsa States in addition to 39 boats conveying stolen crude were confiscated in Rivers, Delta, and Bayelsa States.
Eight persons were arrested in connection with the incidents during the period under review.
Mele Kyari, the NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, had said recently the firm removed over 5,800 illegal connections from its pipelines within the last two years.
