Navy Busts Crude Oil Theft, Uncovers Vandalized Pipeline In Lagos

The Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft has stopped the siphoning of petrol from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company's (NNPCL) pipeline in Lagos.

The navy discovered vandalized parts on the pipeline Wednesday and immediately stopped the theft.

"The thieves connected hoses and suction pumps to vandalized parts of the pipeline to steal petrol," NNS Beecroft Commander Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga said Thursday, Punch reported.

After halting the activities, the NNPCL was informed. Repair works on the damaged parts began after that.

"Efforts are ongoing to detect and rectify other potential vulnerabilities along the pipeline to ensure a comprehensive approach to deter future illegal activities," he said, adding that such activities pose a significant threat to petroleum products and Nigeria's overall economy.

Oil thefts pose a huge challenge to Nigeria's economy as the country is already dealing with hiked fuel prices after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu removed a fuel subsidy.

Nigeria, which is a major crude oil producer in Africa, has also been struggling with issues concerning illegal oil refineries. Many local communities and criminal organizations in the oil-rich Niger Delta region continue to extract and refine crude oil illegally.

Nigeria was once Africa's highest crude oil producer, however, it dropped to third position this year after Angola and Libya took the first and second spots, respectively.

Eight vessels consisting of 100,000 liters of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), also known as diesel, were seized in September during Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), conducted by the military joint task force in Rivers State. Last month, the navy took part in a special military exercise to end crude oil theft, sea robbery and sea piracy in the nation's waterways.

In August, fuel stations in Lagos and the state of Ogun witnessed long queues after thieves vandalized pipelines. It was reported that Nigeria may lose $23 billion this year to such crimes. The country lost $10 billion to crude oil thefts last year, said Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to the president.