The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has reported uncovering 179 incidents of crude oil theft between January 11 and 17, 2025, as part of its ongoing war against oil theft and vandalism.
A video released by the NNPCL revealed that the discoveries were made in collaboration with the Command and Control Centre, Tantita Security Agency, and other industry stakeholders, including government security agencies.
Details of the Operations
During the week, security forces uncovered 29 illegal pipeline connections and 55 illegal refineries in the Niger Delta region. Several hidden storage sites used for illegal petroleum activities were also exposed and destroyed in Rivers and Abia States.
“Security operatives dismantled illegal refineries producing black-market petroleum products and repaired vandalized pipelines to mitigate further environmental damage,” the NNPCL stated.
The incidents were recorded across the Central, Eastern, Western, and Deep Blue Water corridors, with the Central Corridor accounting for 90 incidents, followed by the Eastern Corridor with 70, the Western Corridor with five, and 14 in Deep Blue Water.
Arrests and Confiscations
Security teams intercepted vehicles and wooden fibre boats transporting stolen crude oil in Rivers, Bayelsa, and Abia States. In total, 30 suspects were apprehended and handed over to government security agencies for further investigation.
Environmental Impact and Challenges
The week also saw several oil spills caused by acts of sabotage, including vandalized condensate pipelines and damaged wellheads in Rivers State. The NNPCL confirmed that efforts are ongoing to repair affected facilities and prevent further environmental damage.
Commitment to Eradicating Oil Theft
The NNPCL reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating oil theft, which has long hindered Nigeria’s ability to meet its annual oil production targets. “Our resolve remains unshaken, and the fight against crude oil theft will continue until the menace is eradicated,” the company stated.
Reports show that 128 illegal refineries were uncovered in the first two weeks of January, highlighting the scale of the challenge.
The crackdown on oil theft is a critical step in securing Nigeria’s hydrocarbon infrastructure and ensuring the nation achieves its production targets and revenue projections.
