NNPCL Discovers Numerous Illegal Oil Operations in Niger Delta

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has recently identified 34 illegal refineries and 17 unauthorized pipeline connections in the Niger Delta region over the span of a week.

NNPCL shared this information through a video on their official YouTube channel on Tuesday. These actions were taken as part of its ‘War On Crude Oil Theft’ initiative, targeting oil theft from November 30 to December 6, underlining its determination to eradicate such illegal activities in Nigeria.

The achievement was made possible through collaboration with various partners including the NNPCL command and control centers, Shell Petroleum Development Company, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, Maton Engineering Nigeria Limited, OANDO PLC, New Guard Security and Consultancy Limited, alongside government security forces.

Additionally, NNPCL reported 94 incidents of oil theft occurring in Bayelsa, Rivers, and Abia states.
The company detailed, “Through a series of organized operations, illegal pipelines were identified and removed at critical locations—Ogboingbiri, Ejehinkiri, and Alabelema in Bayelsa state.”

“In Rivers state, at Okrika 7, security personnel swiftly identified and dismantled an illicit setup that had been used to exploit Nigeria’s resources,” they noted. “Prompt repairs were made to restore pipeline functionality, reinforcing the nation’s hydrocarbon infrastructure.”

“The actions continued as illegal refineries were shut down in Ebocha, Umuajuloke community, Okrika 7, Kumkum in Rivers State, and in locations such as Ukwa, Uzuaku, Oza West, Odogwa, Obuzor, Oandu in Abia State, along with Bizeni in Bayelsa state.”

Moreover, NNPCL disclosed the discovery of a large illegal storage facility in Okrika 7, where crude oil was found stored in sacks, intended for the black market. A total of 19 suspects were arrested and passed to government security agencies for further investigation.