NNPCL Uncovers 55 Illegal Refineries, Cracks Down on Oil Theft Hotspots

Samuel Mobolaji

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has made significant strides in its fight against crude oil theft, uncovering 55 illegal refineries and 29 illicit pipeline connections across the Niger Delta region within one week.

The operations, conducted between January 11 and 17, 2025, also led to the arrest of 30 suspects and exposed 179 incidents of oil theft, underscoring the scale of the challenge in the region.

The company revealed these developments through a video documentary on its official YouTube channel, highlighting the impact of a coordinated security collaboration involving government agencies, private firms, and other stakeholders.

According to NNPCL, this joint effort continues to yield remarkable results in safeguarding hydrocarbon infrastructure.

Key partners in this endeavour include Shell Petroleum Development Company, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, Maton Engineering Nigeria Limited, OANDO PLC, Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas, Tantita Security Services, and various government security agencies.

These partnerships have been instrumental in the ongoing efforts to tackle the menace of crude oil theft.

The crackdown revealed a concentration of theft incidents in different parts of the Niger Delta, with five cases recorded in the Western corridor, 90 in the Central corridor, 70 in the Eastern corridor, and 14 in the Deep Blue Water area. The hotspots identified include Buguma Southeast, Bile, Okoloma, and Kaotan Channel in Rivers State, as well as Obuzor and Ukwa in Abia State. Bayelsa State also emerged as a significant area of concern, where several suspects were apprehended, and proceeds of the crime were confiscated.

Security personnel dismantled numerous illegal refineries that had been producing black-market petroleum products, along with hidden storage sites in locations such as Buguma Southeast, Okoloma, Obrikom, and Ayama in Rivers State, as well as Ozaukwu in Abia State.

In Rivers State, a condensate pipeline was discovered at Nwaduloke, while a damaged wellhead was reported in Buguma. Vehicles loaded with crude oil were intercepted in Rivers, Bayelsa, and Abia States, while wooden fibre boats carrying stolen crude were seized on the waterways at Asa and Bile in Rivers State.

NNPCL emphasised that the fight against crude oil theft will continue until the menace is eradicated, noting that the illicit activities not only cost Nigeria billions of dollars daily but also cause significant environmental damage through oil spills that pollute rivers and farmland, threatening the livelihoods of local farmers and fishermen. In 2024 alone, Nigeria recorded over 589 oil spills, most of which were linked to theft.

The company reiterated its commitment to sustaining security efforts in collaboration with industry stakeholders, aiming to protect the nation’s resources and restore the integrity of its hydrocarbon infrastructure.