In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Company revealed that one of the incidents led to the discovery of an oil bunkering site situated in Osuobodo, positioned between two ANTAN flow stations, to the south of the Oguta naval base in Imo state.
The Company stated, "Contrary to their usual operations, these culprits have elevated their activities to a new level. Within this encampment, the oil thieves have installed CCTV cameras on trees to surveil security personnel. Mortar launchers and defense systems have also been strategically placed by the oil thieves in various locations to thwart any perceived threats."
NNPCL said this was made possible through a military operation, which was initiated based on information gathered during an aerial surveillance conducted by Target Energy, Tantita Security Services, Operation Delta Safe, and the Military in August.
It stated that, “It is 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 on the camp, it added.
Again, it said, “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 also reported this week in Azuzu in Bayelsa state and Obodo Omadina and Ogidigbein in Delta state, where a wellhead was vandalized.
In Ozuaku in Abia state, NNPCL reported that a vandalized pipeline is currently being repaired. Ten facilities used for storing stolen crude were also discovered in various locations in the Niger Delta in the past week.
It was reported, '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 in Bayelsa state.'
