NNPCL Uncovers 179 Oil Theft Cases in a Week
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has reported uncovering 179 incidents of crude oil theft between January 11 and 17, 2025, underscoring the persistent challenge of safeguarding Nigeria’s oil infrastructure. The incidents occurred across the Niger Delta region, a hotspot for oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
In its bid to tackle crude oil theft and vandalism, NNPCL affirmed that it continues to work closely with various industry players and security agencies. According to a statement by the state-owned company, this multi-agency effort has been instrumental in detecting illegal activities and securing the country’s hydrocarbon assets.
The operations involved collaboration among the NNPCL Command and Control Centre, Tantita Security Agency, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, Maton Engineering Nigeria Limited, Shell Petroleum Development Company, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), Oando PLC, and government security forces. These coordinated efforts have exposed a range of illegal activities aimed at syphoning off Nigeria’s oil resources.
The NNPCL reported that the 179 incidents recorded during the week included 29 illegal pipeline connections and 55 illegal refineries. Security forces discovered and repaired illegal pipeline connections in Bayelsa and Abia States, while illegal refineries producing black-market petroleum products were dismantled in Rivers and Abia States.
In Rivers State and parts of Africa, security operatives unearthed hidden storage sites used for illegal activities. These sites were destroyed to prevent further exploitation. However, acts of sabotage during the week led to oil spills, including damage to a condensate pipeline and wellheads in Rivers State.
On the waterways and roadways, security teams seized multiple vehicles and wooden boats transporting stolen crude oil. These seizures took place across Rivers, Bayelsa, and Abia States, showcasing the scale of the operation and the complexity of combating oil theft.
The incidents spanned different operational corridors, with 90 cases recorded in the Central Corridor, 70 in the Eastern Corridor, five in the Western Corridor, and 14 in the Deep Blue Water Corridor. The scope of these illegal activities reflects the widespread nature of oil theft in the region.
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Furthermore, 30 suspects were arrested during the week and handed over to government security agencies for further investigation. The arrests underscore the government’s commitment to holding perpetrators accountable and deterring future incidents.
The NNPCL revealed that 128 illegal refineries have been discovered since the beginning of the year. Between January 4 and 10, 2025, security operations uncovered 53 illegal pipeline connections and 73 illegal refineries. Despite these successes, oil theft remains a significant obstacle to Nigeria’s economic development.
The country’s inability to meet its annual oil production targets has often been attributed to crude oil theft and sabotage. These illegal activities not only undermine the economy but also harm the environment, as oil spills from vandalised pipelines wreak havoc on ecosystems and communities.
The NNPCL reiterated its determination to eliminate crude oil theft and vandalism. In its statement, the company emphasised that the fight against this menace would continue until oil theft is eradicated. By maintaining strong partnerships with industry stakeholders and security agencies, the NNPCL aims to restore confidence in Nigeria’s oil sector and ensure the sustainability of its resources.
The battle against oil theft is far from over, but the efforts made so far highlight the government and NNPCL’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s hydrocarbon wealth and tackling the challenges that threaten its oil industry.
Content Credit| Oyedepo Oluwafifedoyinsola Precious
Picture Credit | https://guardian.ng/
