The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has said that 63 illegal refineries and 19 illegal pipelines connections were discovered in Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Rivers and Imo states within one week.
It explained that a total of 177 cases were reported by several incidence sources.
According to it, Tantita Security Services reported four incidences; Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), 11; Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, (PINL) 26; Maton Engineering Company, 20; NNPC 18 operating Ltd, 1; NNPC Command and Control Centre, 51 and Government security agencies (GSAs) 64.
These were contained in video posted on the X handle of the NNPC Ltd on Tuesday.
It said: “In the past week, 19 illegal pipelines connections were recovered while some underwent repairs, across several locations in Bayelsa and River State. 63 illegal refineries discovered and confiscated in Olobiri in Bayelsa State, Tombe III, Okakiri, and two other locations in in Rivers State, Obuzo in Abia State, Ohaji Egbema in Imo State and Ogudu Omadigbo in Delta State.
“Also a vandalized, barricaded oil well head was discoveredin Tailo creel Bayelsa State, Stolen crude was also discovered in an oil reservoirs in TomboIII, IV and Alesa in River State.
“17 vehicular arrests were made in some areas in Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers State and Akwa Ibom State.
“On water, 15 wooden boats conveying stolen crude were seized and confiscated in Rivers and Bayelsa states, 51 of these incidences took place in deep blue, 21 in the Western region, 29 in the central region, 76 in the eastern region between the 3rd and 9th of August 2024 while 16 suspects arrested.”
