NNPC truck caught & arrested with suspected stolen crude oil enrages Nigerians over unending theft

A truck bearing the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) name tag has been confiscated by security agents for conveying stolen crude oil in the Niger Delta.

The truck was among several other vehicles arrested in the past week by security agencies fighting oil theft.

In a visual report by the NNPC, the truck was seen in the video surrounded by government and private security agencies.

In the past week, no fewer than 36 illegal pipeline connections and 99 illegal refineries were uncovered, the NNPC said, stressing that the war on crude oil theft and industry-wide security collaboration on hydrocarbon infrastructure continued to record “remarkable progress.”

“Between September 7 and 13, 2024, a total of 218 incidences were recorded across several locations in the Niger Delta region from various incident sources like Tantita Security Agency, Shell Petroleum Development Company, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, Maton Engineering Nigeria Limited, Oando PLC, NNPC Limited’s Command and Control Centres and government security agencies,” the report stated.

In Rivers State, four illegal pipelines said to be cleverly hidden and connected to a crude oil line were exposed.

“These pipelines had been siphoning off precious resources from the nation’s coffers,” the NNPC stated.

Similar illegal operations were reportedly uncovered in other communities as swift actions from security forces neutralised the illicit connections, preventing further losses.

It was disclosed that makeshift refineries used to process stolen crude oil were demolished in an aggressive crackdown with the sites, which were once fueling criminal enterprises now in ruins.

Large reservoirs of stolen crude were found in Bayelsa and River States, hidden in different places, while illegal storage sites were discovered in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.

In some sites, crude concealed in polythene bags awaiting distribution to the black markets was detected.

On land, security personnel intercepted several trucks and vehicles carrying stolen crude oil at key locations in Delta State.

Arrests were also made in Akwa Ibom and Rivers states, with the drivers handed over to relevant authorities for further investigation.

On the water, security personnel seized wooden boats commonly used for transporting stolen crude oil in Abia and Delta States.

“The incidents were spread across different corridors: 32 in the western corridor, 61 in the central corridor, 77 in the eastern corridor and 48 in deep blue water.

“In total, 35 suspects were arrested during this period, all of whom have been handed over to government security agencies for further investigation,” the energy company reported.

The NNPC emphasised that there is no backing down on the war on crude oil theft until the menace is eradicated for good.