By Publisher
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, has said it busted about 34 illegal refineries and 17 pipeline connections in seven days.
It also revealed that a total of 19 suspects were arrested in connection with the crime and handed over to security operatives for further investigation.
The company made the disclosure was made in a video documentary posted on its official YouTube channel on Tuesday.
According to the video, the illegal activities were busted at different locations across the Niger Delta region in operations tagged ‘War On Crude Theft’ between November 30 and December 6.
The operations were carried out in collaboration of NNPCL command and control centres, OANDO PLC, government security agencies, Maton Engineering Nigeria Ltd. and Shell Petroleum Development Company, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited.
“And Okrika 7 in Rivers state witnessed swift action as security forces uncovered an illicit setup used by perpetrators to exploit Nigeria’s resources.“Repairs were carried out promptly restoring the pipelines to full functionality and fortifying the nation’s hydrocarbon infrastructure.”
The company added: “The crackdown didn’t stop there. Illegal refineries met their end in Ebocha, umuajuloke community, Okrika 7, and Kumkum in Rivers State, as well as In a series of coordinated operations, illegal pipelines were discovered and dismantled at key hotspots – Ogboingbiri, Ejehinkiri, Alabelema in Bayelsa state. in Abia State and Bizeni in Bayelsa state.”Additionally, a massive illegal storage site was uncovered by NNPCL officials in Okrika, Rivers State, where crude oil was stored in sacks and already set for the black market.
