The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has reported a significant crackdown on crude oil theft, revealing 179 incidents in a span of just one week. This latest surge highlights the ongoing battle against oil theft and pipeline vandalism in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region.
From January 11 to 17, 2025, NNPC’s collaborative efforts with various security agencies and industry partners, including Tantita Security Agency, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, and Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited, resulted in the discovery of 29 illegal pipeline connections and 55 illegal refineries. These operations, which involved NNPC’s Command and Control Centre and other key partners such as Oando PLC and the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Company (NLNG), helped to significantly disrupt illegal activities.
Among the most notable findings were illegal refineries operating in Rivers and Abia States, where security forces quickly moved to dismantle and destroy these operations. In addition, hidden storage sites used for illegal refining and storage of stolen crude were uncovered and destroyed by the authorities. Despite these efforts, sabotage activities led to several oil spills, including damage to condensate pipelines and wellheads in Rivers.
In a further blow to illegal operations, security teams intercepted vehicles loaded with stolen crude oil in Rivers, Bayelsa, and Abia States. Along the waterways, authorities also seized wooden boats carrying illicitly obtained crude. The incidents were spread across multiple corridors, with 90 recorded in the Central Corridor, 70 in the Eastern Corridor, five in the Western Corridor, and 14 in the Deep Blue Water corridor.
As part of the continued effort to tackle the problem, 30 individuals were arrested in connection to the theft and handed over to security agencies for further investigation. NNPC remains resolute in its fight against crude oil theft, vowing to continue its efforts until the menace is fully eradicated.
In total, the first two weeks of January alone saw the discovery of 128 illegal refineries and 106 illegal pipeline connections, underscoring the scale of the challenge. Oil theft continues to be a major obstacle for Nigeria, as it hampers the country’s ability to meet its oil production targets, impacting the broader economy.
