- Abia and Rivers states account for 39 cases, having the highest effect of oil thefts.
- Security agents uncovered and destroyed 77 illegal refineries across Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, and Imo states.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has recorded 226 crude oil theft incidents during a single week from November 18 to 24. NNPC disclosed this on its official Twitter (X) account on Tuesday, November 28, stressing the urgent need for stricter enforcement and protection of Nigeria’s energy resources. The state-owned oil company stated that this prevalent illegal activity cut across various oil-producing states. Abia and Rivers states account for 39 cases, having the highest effect of illicit connections.
According to the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, oil thefts and losses in Nigeria between 2009 and 2020 stood at 619.7 million barrels of crude oil, valued at $46.16 billion or N16.25 trillion. “In addition, Nigeria lost 4.2 billion litres of petroleum products from refineries, valued at $1.84 billion at 140,000 Barrels per day, from 2009 to 2018. Pipeline vandalism remained a persistent challenge, with 21 incidents detected in Rivers and Delta states.”
However, NNPC said that in a concerted effort to curb unauthorised refining operations, security agents uncovered and destroyed 77 illegal refineries across Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, and Imo states. Security forces also intercepted nine vessels engaged in AIS infractions and apprehended 55 wooden boats transporting stolen crude in Delta state.