The large scale crude oil theft in Nigeria has taken a different dimension as investigations by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, revealed that pipelines have been shockingly connected to some churches, mosques and individual homes.
This has made it easy for crude oil theft that has almost affected the optimum performance of oil companies in the Niger Delta.
The NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari gave the shocking details while speaking on Channels Television on Tuesday, adding that those involved enjoys cooperation of some members of the public.
According to him, investigation was conducted by the NNPC and discovered, pipelines are deliberately being vandalized and thereafter connected to some individuals homes, churches and mosques.
Mele Kyari said, investigation was spurred by a recent fire incident in one of the pipelines only to discover shocking pipelines connected to some homes, churches, and mosques.
The implications, he noted, was that members of the public around those communities are complicit as they cannot feign ignorance of the illegality that is going on there.
“It is impossible for people in these communities where the illegal pipelines were discovered to claim that they do not see trucks coming into the community to load petroleum products and leave on a frequent basis.
“Some government officials are also involved in the whole mess”, he said.
Kyari lamented over huge loss of crude oil due to theft to the extent that it has affected the earnings of Nigeri, without a solution.
He revealed further that various investigations disclosed that there are around 295 illegal pipeline connections across Nigeria and these illegal activities has made it difficult for oil companies to function optimally.
