Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has disclosed it will investigate a total of 128 crude oil theft incidents that were recorded across the oil-producing areas in the first week of October in the Niger Delta region.

The information was revealed in a report from the weekly “Energy and You” series, produced by the NNPCL and broadcast on the NTA News Network.

The report shed light on various illicit activities within the oil sector during the specified timeframe.

The incidents included 17 cases of unauthorized connections, 27 illegal refineries, 11 infractions related to vessel tracking systems, and 49 instances of wooden boat arrests.

Furthermore, there were 10 cases of pipeline vandalism and 10 vehicle-related arrests.

Authorities also uncovered and took action against two illegal storage sites, identified one oil spill site, and made an arrest related to a vessel engaged in illegal activities.

A significant incident that came to light during the week involved Tantita Security Services Limited, which discovered a vandalized wellhead offshore in Warri, Delta State.

This resulted in oil spilling into the sea, causing pollution. The security outfit received intelligence indicating that foreign ships were involved in stealing oil from this location and selling it in neighboring countries, exacerbating the environmental and economic implications of the situation.

The crude oil theft incidents were widespread, occurring in various locations in Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, and Imo states, all within the vulnerable Niger Delta.

The criminal activities extended to different maritime regions, illustrating the depth of the issue.

In the Deep Blue Water alone, there were 12 recorded incidents of crude oil theft, indicating the audacity of criminals venturing into more challenging and deeper maritime areas.

Closer to the coast, the Western region reported 37 theft incidents, underlining the severity of the problem in this area. In the heart of the Niger Delta, the Central region experienced 25 incidents, while the Eastern region recorded a staggering 54 incidents of crude oil theft.

The situation has raised significant concerns, prompting Senate President Godswill Akpabio to issue a directive on October 10.

He instructed the Senate Committees on Petroleum Resources, Host Communities, and Niger Delta Affairs to initiate investigations into the activities of security forces, militia groups, local residents, oil company employees, and any individuals or entities suspected of employing sophisticated methods to pilfer oil facilities.

This directive follows Senator Ned Nwoko’s revelation that Nigeria had already lost N2.3 trillion to crude oil theft in the current year.