Surveillance contractors responsible for monitoring oil assets have unearthed a clandestine crude oil tapping operation in the Ogbonga area of Oloma community, located within the Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The contractors are urgently calling upon law enforcement agencies to launch a thorough investigation into this alarming incident.
The Secretary of the Oil Assets Surveillance Contractors Forum in Bonny Kingdom, Graham Pepple, held a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Saturday to disclose their findings.
The illicit operation was discovered to be connected to the Trans Niger Pipeline, which is the property of the Shell Petroleum Development Company.
Pepple conveyed, “We call on the military, police, civil defense, all relevant security high commands to move in to investigate the illegal oil loading point sited at Ogbonga, Oloma community.”
This illegal connection was installed with the clear intent of supplying illegal refineries with crude oil directly from the TNP. Pepple stressed the importance of a comprehensive investigation to identify and apprehend those involved in setting up this illicit network.
Furthermore, the contractors expressed their deep concern regarding the audacity of these criminal activities.
Despite the substantial presence of army and navy houseboat stations in the vicinity, unauthorized loading of illegally refined products, through a line that was illicitly connected to the TNP at Ogbonga in Bonny Island, was taking place.
Pepple, who also works as a Surveillance Contractor with SPDC, emphasized that they are not making hasty conclusions but have brought this issue to light to encourage security authorities to launch a meticulous investigation.
He stated, “We are on the ground to assist with useful information.”
Despite attempts to reach SPDC’s spokesman, Michael Adande, for comment, no response was received at the time of reporting.
His office had promised to provide further information on the matter.
