Crude Oil Theft: NNPCL records 149 cases in one week

About 149 crude oil theft cases have been recorded in one week across the Niger Delta States by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

The statement issued by the Company on Tuesday and made available to journalists revealed that one of the incidents, an oil bunkering site was uncovered in Osuobodo between two ANTAN flow stations south of Oguta naval base in Imo state.

It stated, “Far from the regular, these criminals have taken their activities a notch higher. In this camp, CCTV cameras have been installed on trees by the thieves to look out for security operatives. Mortar launchers and defence systems were also mounted by the oil thieves in various locations to eliminate any perceived enemy.”

The NNPCL said, the discovery came after an invasion by the military following information gathered by an air surveillance carried out by Target Energy, Tantita security services, Operation Delta Safe and the Military in August.

It stated that, “It is a well orchestrated mission. The thieves are determined to live here and trade their stolen crude. A lack of electricity is no excuse. Generators are on standby to keep the camp’s operations afloat.”

Drums of crude oil feeding from an illegal connection, bags used for storing crude and more were discovered on the camp, it added.

Again, it said, “Between the 14th to 20th of October, 2023, 49 illegal connections were uncovered in Udu & Ogharefe in Delta State, Ohaji Egbema in Imo, Brass in Bayelsa and in Rivers state.