The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has said that 220 illegal refineries, 33 illegal connections were discovered and a total of 416 incidences were recorded in Nigeria between August 10 and 16, 2024.

It added that 22 vandalism were recorded, 62 arrests of wooden/fibre boats and 11 vehicles arrests were made while there were 5 oil spills, 15 illegal storage locations and 48 vessels AIS infractions.

It identified the states where these incidences occurred to include Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Abia. Giving a summary of incidences recorded within the period under review, it stated that Tantita Security Services recorded, nine; Shell Petroleum Development Company, (SPDC) one, Pipeline Infrastructure of Nigeria Limited (PINL), 19; Maton Engineering Company, 41; Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC), 39: NNPC Ltd Command and Control Centre 48, and government security agencies 259.

These were contained in a video note on “War on crude oil theft,’ posted on the X of NNPC Ltd yesterday. It said: “In the past week, 33 illegal pipeline connections and 220 illegal refineries have been uncovered.

Oil gushed from an illegal connection on a major pipeline in Brass, Bayelsa State. 33 illegal connections were also uncovered in Ikete, West Buma, Sapale, Brass and Toum Ibum in Bayelsa State where a vandalised pipeline is undergoing repairs. Others were found in Toumb 4 in Rivers State.

“Between 10 and 16thof August 2024, 416 cases were reported by several incident sources, Tantita Security Services, Shell Petroleum Development Company, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria limited, Maton Engineering Company, Nigeria Agip Oil Company, NNPC Command Centre and Government security agencies.” (New Telegraph)