Three hundred and eighty-nine incidents of oil theft were recorded within two weeks, two documentaries by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has shown.
The documentaries were on the collaboration between security operatives and surveillance contractor – Tantita Security Services Limited on the battle against oil thieves in the bid to eradicate the menace.
According to the two documentaries in the NNPCL official Twitter handle, which The Nation viewed yesterday, the first documentary covered the period between November 18 and 24. The other covered from November 23 to December 1.
The NNPCL said the incidents were recorded as follows: 23 cases in deep blue water; 86 incidents in Western region, 141 incidents in Eastern region and 139 incidents in Central region.
The documentaries also revealed that the operations led to the discovery of 87 illegal connections and 146 illegal refineries.
According to the NNPCL, while 24 vehicles were seized, 96 wooden boats were also apprehended with the period under review.
The other documentary with audio and video narration said: “This is not just the destruction of shanties.
“It is the demolition of an illegal market, where stolen crude is traded. Situated at Niger CAT Junction in Warri Delta State, the market is no more. Nothing is spared.”
Continuing, it noted that 163 incidents were recorded in Niger Delta between November 23 and December 1. Sixty-nine illegal refineries were discovered in Bayelsa and Rivers states.
It further noted that in Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states, 10 illegal connections were uncovered.
The documentary stressed that “on the 28th of November 2023, Tantita Security Services, in conjunction with government security agencies, conducted a routine surveillance and along the western corridor where a large illegal connection point was found on a Trans Escravos pipeline in Udaibo in Delta State.”
Continuing, the NNPCL said that along the Anukpe – Escravos pipeline situated along western corridor, another large Illegal connection point was discovered in Mereje, Delta State.
It added that in Koroama in Bayelsa State, sacks of stolen crude oil were stacked for transportation to their buyers.
The video clip showed drums containing stolen crude found in Warri, while oil theft, dumpsites and sacks of crude oil were found in Alo, Iba and Isiokpo, Delta State.
The state-owned oil giant said in the past week, 11 vehicles, laden with stolen crude were apprehended in Delta and Rivers states, while 41 wooden boats transporting stolen crudes were seized and confiscated in Bayelsa State.
The NNPCL noted that five cases of oil spill, three cases of vandalism and 14 vessels AIS infractions were recorded during the period.
Fourteen of such incidents took place in the blue water, 62 in the Eastern region, 35 in the Central region, while 52 took place in the western region.
The oil firm further said in the past week, 16 suspects were arrested.
It vowed that “for NNPC Ltd, there is no backing down on the war on crude oil theft until the menace is eradicated for good.”
The NNPCL said that 226 incidences were recorded across the Niger Delta during the period under review.
According to NNPCL documentaries, 77 illegal refineries were discovered and destroyed in Rivers State, Delta, Bayelsa and Imo states. Thirty-nine illegal connections were discovered in Abia and Rivers states.
It also noted that 21 cases of pipeline vandalism were also recorded in Rivers and Delta States, where boats filled up with crude from vandalised Wellhead.
Five cases of oil spills were recorded in the past week as well while cases of oil storage were uncovered in Rivers, Delta, Abia and Bayelsa states.
Thirteen 13 vehicles and a truck laden with stolen crude under the guise of transporting animals feeds were arrested in Delta State.
The documentary said that 55 boats, conveying stolen crude were apprehended in Delta State.
It added that 35 suspects were arrested across the Niger Delta between November 18 and 24.
Nine of the incidents, the NNPCL noted, took place in the deep blue water, 34 in the Western region, 104 in the central region and 79 in the Eastern part of the oil-rich region.
Kuku backs battle against oil thieves
Erstwhile Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Kingsley Kuku, has hailed President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s moves to revitalise the Niger Delta region and combat oil theft scourge of.
Speaking during a visit to PAP’s Interim Administrator Maj.-Gen. Barry Ndiomu, Kuku commended the proactive measures taken to address critical issues affecting the region’s stability.
He said: “Tinubu is committed to repositioning the Niger Delta and curbing oil theft in the region. His dedication to tackling these challenges is commendable and essential for sustainable development.
“I am certain that Tinubu’s tenure will usher in positive transformations not just for the Niger Delta but for the entire nation. His commitment to justice and dedication to the welfare of all Nigerians, particularly those in the Niger Delta, is unquestionable.”
The one-time PAP boss emphasized the importance of vocational education, advocating for the swift reconstruction of the vandalised Kaiama Vocational Training Centre in Bayelsa State.
He noted that facilities at the centre remain pivotal the empowerment of Niger Delta youths.
Kuku said: “As we witness the return of peace and stability in the region, it’s crucial to rebuild educational institutions like the Kaiama Vocational Training Centre.
The community shouldn’t be penalised for the unfortunate incidents. Vocational education remains pivotal in fostering sustainable growth in the Niger Delta.”
