Nigeria’s oil industry has once again been hit by a surge in oil theft. Between September 7 and 13, 2024, security agencies recorded 218 cases of oil theft across the Niger Delta region, leading to the arrest of 31 suspects. This was revealed in a recent report by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).

During the seven-day period, security forces uncovered four illegal pipelines in Rivers State. These pipelines had been cleverly hidden and connected to a crude oil line, allowing oil to be siphoned off undetected.

According to the NNPC, these thefts were detected through various sources, including Tantita Security Agency, Shell Petroleum Development Company, and government security agencies. The incidents were spread across the region: 32 in the western corridor, 61 in the central corridor, 77 in the eastern corridor, and 48 in deep blue water.

The Nigerian government has long struggled with oil theft, which poses a major challenge to the country’s oil production. NNPC’s Group Managing Director, Mele Kyari, has consistently emphasized the significant impact oil theft has on Nigeria’s economy, stating that it continues to drain the nation’s resources.

With arrests made and illegal pipelines uncovered, security operatives are working hard to curb this issue. However, it remains an ongoing battle, and more efforts are needed to protect Nigeria’s valuable oil resources.