Illegal Refineries: NNPC Discovers, Confiscates 63 in One Week

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has announced that 63 illegal refineries were discovered and confiscated in the past week, indicating progress in the fight against oil theft.

A documentary revealed that the company recorded 177 incidents between August 3 and 9, including illegal pipeline connections, vandalized oil wellheads, and stolen crude oil.

Reports stated that the incidents were reported by various sources, including Tantita Security Services, Shell Petroleum Development Company, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, Maton Engineering Company, NNPC 18 Operating Ltd, NNPC Command and Control Centre, and government security agencies.

The NNPC reported that 19 illegal pipeline connections were recovered, and some underwent repairs in Bayelsa and Rivers States.

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Also, 63 illegal refineries were discovered and confiscated in Bayelsa, Rivers, Abia, Imo, and Delta States.

A vandalized barricaded oil wellhead was also discovered in Bayelsa State, and stolen crude oil was found in oil reservoirs in Rivers State.

NNPC further reported that 17 vehicular arrests were made in communities in Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom States, and 15 wooden boats conveying stolen crude were confiscated in Rivers and Bayelsa States.

It revealed that the incidents occurred in various regions, with 51 in the deep blue water, 21 in the western region, 29 in the central region, and 76 in the eastern region.

According to the NNPC, 16 suspects had been arrested in connection with the incidents in the past week.