The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited says it discovered another 63 illegal refineries and confiscated same in the past week.
The 63 illegal refineries were discovered and confiscated in Bayelsa, Rivers, Abia, Imo and Delta States.
According to the NNPC, about 177 incidents were recorded between August 3 and 9 by different incident sources, like Tantita Security Services, four; Shell Petroleum Development Company, 11; Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, 26; Maton Engineering Company, 20; NNPC 18 Operating Ltd, one; NNPC Command and Control Centre, 51; and government security agencies, 64.
It noted that during the week under review, 19 illegal pipeline connections were recovered, while some underwent repairs across locations in Bayelsa and Rivers States.
NNPC added that a vandalised barricaded oil wellhead was discovered in Bayelsa State, while stolen crude was discovered in oil reservoirs in Rivers State.
It further said 17 vehicular arrests were made in communities in Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom States, and that 15 wooden boats conveying stolen crude were confiscated in Rivers and Bayelsa States.
The energy company disclosed that 51 of those incidents took place in the deep blue water, 21 in the western region, 29 in the central region, and 76 in the eastern region.
The NNPC stated that no fewer than 16 suspects had been arrested in connection with the incidents in the past week.
