The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) reported 149 incidents of crude oil theft in the Niger Delta over the span of a single week.
This shocking disclosure has raised serious concerns about the scale of illicit activities in the region.
Among the most concerning findings was the uncovering of an elaborate oil bunkering site in Osuobodo, situated between two ANTAN flow stations south of the Oguta naval base in Imo state.
The NNPCL described the operations at the camp as highly organized, with oil thieves employing advanced tactics to evade security forces.
The criminals had installed CCTV cameras on trees to surveil the area for potential threats, while mortar launchers and defense systems were set up to eliminate perceived enemies.
The discovery of this camp was the result of a military invasion, prompted by information gathered during air surveillance conducted by Target Energy, Tantita security services, Operation Delta Safe, and the Military in August.
During this week of alarming incidents, the NNPCL documented 49 illegal connections in various locations, including Delta, Imo, Bayelsa, and Rivers states.
Notably, in Rivers state, oil thieves had gone so far as to drill a tunnel underneath a tarred road to insert their illegal connection, emphasizing their determination to operate undetected.
In addition to the illegal connections, 16 cases of pipeline vandalism were recorded, and 10 facilities used for storing stolen crude were uncovered in different locations in the Niger Delta.
The NNPCL also reported arrests of vehicles and wooden boats transporting stolen crude oil in multiple states, further highlighting the gravity of the situation.
These incidents are not only a threat to Nigeria’s oil industry but also pose significant environmental risks, requiring swift and effective intervention to curb the rampant crude oil theft in the region.