NNPCL Uncovers 83 Illegal Refineries, 22 Suspects Arrested

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) says it has in the past one week uncovered no fewer than 83 illegal refineries in the Niger Delta.

The NNPCL disclosed this on its X handle on Tuesday, as part of its war on crude oil theft, saying 15 illegal pipeline connections were also discovered within the same period.

“In the past week, 15 illegal pipeline connections and 83 illegal refineries have been uncovered in the Niger Delta,” the NNPCL said.

According to a video shared with the post, it was disclosed that between January 6 and 12, a total of 211 incidents of oil theft and vandalism were reported.

The NNPCL also said 15 illegal pipeline connections were also discovered within the same period.

NNPCL in a documentary shared on X, stated that between January 6 and 12, 2023, a total of 211 incidents of oil theft and vandalism were reported.

It said 15 illegal pipeline connections were also discovered within the same period.

NNPCL in a documentary shared on X, stated that between January 6 and 12, 2023, a total of 211 incidents of oil theft and vandalism were reported.

It also said that it inspected an illegal crude oil vessel loaded with thousands of metric tonnes of crude, adding that the 23 crew onboard the vessel have been arrested.

It disclosed this in a post on its official X handle on Monday night, noting that the move was part of efforts by the company and its partners to halt the menace of crude oil theft.

It said, “Earlier today, the Group CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of NNPC Ltd, Mr Mele Kyari, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, were in Oporoza, Warri, Delta State, to inspect MT Kali, an illegal crude oil vessel loaded with thousands of metric tonnes of crude oil.”

It stated that the vessel was intercepted by Tantita Security Services, a private security firm, in collaboration with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, “while it was loading directly from an offshore platform in Bayelsa State.”

The national oil company added that “all 23 crew members onboard the illegal vessel have been arrested.”

According to NNPCL, during the inspection tour of the illegal vessel, General Musa stated that the military remained committed to working with national oil firm and other government and private security agencies to halt the menace of crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.
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