The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has revealed that it uncovered at least 34 illegal refineries and 17 pipeline connections across the Niger Delta region within a week.

In a video documentary posted on its official YouTube channel on Tuesday, NNPC detailed that these illegal activities were discovered during its ‘War On Crude Oil Theft’ operations, which took place between November 30 and December 6, as part of its ongoing effort to combat crude oil theft in Nigeria.

The NNPC credited the success to the joint efforts of the NNPCL command and control centers, Shell Petroleum Development Company, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, Maton Engineering Nigeria Limited, OANDO PLC, New Guard Security and Consultancy Limited, and various government security agencies.

The company also reported 94 oil theft incidents in Bayelsa, Rivers, and Abia States. In a series of coordinated operations, illegal pipelines were dismantled at key hotspots such as Ogboingbiri, Ejehinkiri, and Alabelema in Bayelsa state. In Rivers state, the Okrika 7 area saw swift action as security forces uncovered illicit setups used to exploit Nigeria’s resources. Repairs were carried out immediately to restore the pipelines and strengthen the nation’s hydrocarbon infrastructure.

The video also revealed that illegal refineries were destroyed in several locations, including Ebocha, Umuajuloke, Okrika 7, and Kumkum in Rivers State, as well as Ukwa, Uzuaku, Oza West, Odogwa, Obuzor, Oandu in Abia State, and Bizeni in Bayelsa State.

NNPC further reported the discovery of a massive illegal crude oil storage site in Okrika 7, Rivers State, where stolen crude oil was found stored in sacks, ready for the black market. Additional illegal storage sites were uncovered in Igi 3, Ibudiya 1, Eborcha, and Ukua.

“These site destructions serve as a stern warning—there is no safe haven for crude oil theft in Nigeria,” NNPC stated.

The corporation also seized and destroyed wooden fiber boats carrying stolen crude oil on waterways in Igi 4 and Okoloma in Rivers State, as well as Ukwua in Abia State.

In total, 19 suspects were arrested and handed over to government security agencies for further investigation.

The NNPC highlighted the locations of the week’s operations across the Niger Delta, noting 39 incidents in the Central Corridor, 41 in the Eastern Corridor, four in the Western Corridor, and 10 in deep blue waters.