How Nigeria is Battling Crude Oil Thieves

Across the Niger Delta, the war on crude oil theft is on and the industry-wide security collaboration continues to record remarkable progress.

In the past week, 149 incidences were recorded across the Niger Delta. In some areas of the Niger Delta, it’s become a warfare of sorts. In Osuobodo between 2 ANTAN flow stations south of Oguta naval base in Imo state, an oil bunkering site was uncovered. 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. This discovery was made possible 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.

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Authorities told NewsmakersNG that the mission has been well orchestrated.

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.

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. At this spot in Rivers state, oil thieves drilled a tunnel underneath the tarred road to insert their illegal connection. The aim is to operate undetected. This was planned and carried out by an expert, using a horizontal directional drilling machine.

Sixteen cases of Pipeline vandalism were recorded this week in Azuzu in Bayelsa state and Obodo Omadina & Ogidigbein in Delta state where a well head was vandalised. In Ozuaku in Abia state, a vandalised pipeline is being repaired.
Ten facilities used for storing stolen crude were uncovered in various locations in the Niger Delta in the past week. In Ekpemu in Delta state, an interesting discovery was made.

More storage facilities were discovered in Ogborode, Ugborodo and Kwale in Delta State, Tomble and Emuoha in Rivers state and Yenagoa n Bayelsa state.
In Ozoro, Umuosonwu and Patani in Delta state, vehicles conveying sacks of crude oil, were arrested and their content confiscated . 5 vehicle arrests were made between the 14 and 20th of October, 2023.

Eighteen wooden boats conveying stolen crude were alsp apprehended this week in Rivers, Delta and Imo states.

Nine of these incidents took place in the deep blue water, 23 in the western region , 67 in the central region and 50 in Nigeria’s Eastern Region.
For NNPC limited, there is no backing down on the war on crude oil theft, until the menace is eradicated for good.

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