The oil equipment of a suspected oil syndicate on Oil Mining Lease-18 in Elem Krakama Creek, located in the Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, has been excavated and dismantled by the Nigerian Navy.
The dismantling of the equipment utilised for the extraction of crude oil at Oil Well 17, under the operation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, was confirmed by the Navy.
Commodore Suleman Ibrahim, the Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder, reported that on July 11, 2023, the patrol helicopter of the aforementioned naval vessel detected unauthorised activities.
According to Ibrahim, who guided journalists to the location on Saturday, the identification of the site resulted in the removal of numerous underground pipelines.
He added that in a separate instance, four people involved in illegal oil bunkering were apprehended.
He said that the excavation exercise had been carried out in conjunction with the NNPC and expressed shock at the degree of technical know-how the suspects had used.
Ibrahim claimed that the conspiracy was sophisticated and comprised of knowledgeable individuals, and that such a large-scale oil theft could not be carried out by those he refers to as amateurs.
Addressing newsmen, Commodore Ibrahim said, “We came here with Members of NNPC, OML 18 resources, they are the owners of the well.
“We came with our heavy equipment to make sure we dismantle the illegal structures that are being used to siphon crude illegally.
“A lot of pipes have been recovered from the wellhead and we have disconnected where they are being connected to.
“As an individual what I have seen here is way beyond what I have seen elsewhere. The level of sophistication is beyond our imagination.
“The individuals involved had taken their time and done a lot of measurements and did welding on-site.”
He added that the cartels responsible for the conduct are being traced and that they will be apprehended and charged appropriately.
The NNPC OML18 technical staff visited the second location (Kala Ekweama), according to the NHS Pathfinder Commander, and they observed and made their assessment there.
Ibrahim stated that as a result, work would soon start at both sites to guarantee that the areas that have been compromised are rectified.
The Navy has in the meantime detained four people in relation to oil bunkering.
The four suspects, according to the Navy Commander, are from the Southern Ijaw axis of Bayelsa State even though they currently reside in Borikiri in Port Harcourt.
The accused admitted under questioning that they had been given N20,000 to transport diesel from a creek to Port Harcourt, the state capital of Rivers.
