The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has reported 144 crude oil theft incidents in seven days.
The company, in a statement on the incidents issued on Tuesday, indicated that the incidents recorded between October 21 and 27 happened in various locations, including Tori and Ogborode in Delta; Olodiama, Oporomor IV, and West Boma both in Bayelsa and Imo states, Owaza in Ukwa, Abia, and Ahoada and Iba in Rivers state
According to the company, these incidents encompass raging activities, including 32 illegal connections, 45 illegal refineries, 11 cases of pipeline vandalism, 19 vehicle seizures, 8 vessel AIS infractions, 19 wooden boat seizures, 6 illegal storage sites, 3 oil spill sites, and 1 vessel arrest.
The latest incidents in the oil facilities further highlighted the increasingly worrisome challenges of illegal activities in the crude oil producing fields with the attendant negative implications for environmental, economic, and insecurity risks and losses to the country.
