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From Uche Usim, Abuja
The war against crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region climaxed last week with 149 incidents recorded by security agencies working in cahoots with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Limited).
Daily Sun gathered that crude oil theft has become an established business in the region, with perpetrators acquiring sophisticated assault rifles and mortar launchers to take on security operatives recruited to man the oil and gas facilities.
“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”, a source familiar with the onslaught against oil thieves told Daily Sun.
He added that the crude theft, which assumed unprecedented dimensions in recent months, remains a well orchestrated mission.
“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 in the camp,” he added.
Between October 14-20, 49 illegal connections were uncovered in Udu and Ogharefe in Delta State, Ohaji Egbema in Imo, Brass in Bayelsa and in Rivers state.
It was further gathered that at a 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.
More so, 16 cases of pipeline vandalism were recorded last 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.
10 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. Track
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.
18 wooden boats conveying stolen crude were alsp apprehended this week in Rivers, Delta and Imo states.
Nine of the 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.
An NNPCL source hinted that the way against crude theft was total and fierce, adding that the national oil company has no intention to back down until the menace is eradicated.
