Nigerian Navy has said that his troops denied bunkers and oil thieves 411,400 litres of crude oil, 87,825 litres of illegally refined AGO, 72,000 litres of DPK, 21,900 litres of PMS. with 120 dug out pits deactivated in the month of July 2025.
It said that since the relaunch of Operation DELTA SANITY in December 2024, the force has recorded remarkable successes, which reinforced its unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation’s maritime domain.
This was disclosed on Thursday in Abuja by Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, Director of Information (DINFO), Nigerian Navy in a statement which outlined its successes within a month.
According to statistics released shows that on Friday, 4th July 2025, six illegal Refinery Sites were discovered and deactivated around Ogba, Egbema, and Ndoni communities in Rivers State.
The sites were said to be comprised of 40 dugout pits with approximately 66,000 litres of suspected crude oil, 40 ovens, and 30 reservoirs holding about 40,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
Also on Saturday, 12th July 2025, one illegal Refinery Site with five dugout pits containing about 2,300 litres of stolen crude oil was deactivated at Otegele, Delta State, while on Monday, 14th July 2025, three suspected smugglers were arrested in Akwa Ibom State in a wooden boat laden with 10 drums (approximately 2,500 litres) of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
According to an investigation by the navy, the products were intended for smuggling into the Republic of Cameroon before suspects and products were seized and handed over to relevant authorities.
Also on the same day, 14th July 2025, an underground reservoir with connected pipes, dugout pits, and buckets containing approximately 7,000 litres of crude oil, along with polythene bags, was discovered and deactivated around Obodo Omadino, Warri Southwest Local Government Area of Delta State.
On Saturday, 19th July 2025, one illegal Refinery Site and nine dugout pits, containing about 4,200 litres of crude oil were deactivated around Otegele in Obodo Omadino, Warri Southwest LGA, Delta State.
While on Monday, 21st July 2025, many dugout pits, one pumping machine connected to an underground reservoir with 10 sacks containing approximately 10,000 litres of suspected crude oil, and 2 buckets were discovered and seized at Oteghele in Amadino community, Warri Southwest LGA, Delta State.
Commodore Adams-Aliu further revealed that two illegal refinery sites were deactivated at Biseni Community, Yenagoa LGA, Bayelsa State on the 22nd of July while the sites had about 200,000 litres of stolen crude oil, one pumping machine, and about 2,000 litres of illegally refined AGO and DPK, as well as a network of galvanized pipes and hoses used for siphoning and distribution.
Other confiscations were because of a follow-up operation led to the discovery and deactivation of seven metal ovens, six storage pits, and a large pond containing over 250,000 litres of stolen crude oil in Biseni Community Yenagoa LGA, Bayelsa State.
Also, on 23rd July 2025, an illegal refinery site with 300 litres of crude oil, several drums, 3 dugout pits, and 2 reservoirs were deactivated along Isonogbene and Otuogbene in Akassa general area of Bayelsa State.
On the same day, it was reported that two active illegal refinery sites, eight dugout pits containing approximately 2,500 litres of crude oil, and 10 polythene sacks with about 3,000 litres of illegally refined AGO were discovered and deactivated in Obodo Omadino, Warri Southwest LGA, Delta State.
In the same vein, on the 23rd of July 2025, an abandoned illegal refinery site comprising one oven and five dugout pits with about 13,000 litres of crude oil was discovered and deactivated around Ugbokodo Creek and Christian Village in Warri South LGA, Delta State.
The statement further disclosed that on Monday, 28th July 2025, one active illegal refinery site with tanks, containing about 20,000 litres of crude oil, and an underground reservoir connected with hoses was discovered and deactivated at Oteghele Community in Omadino, Delta State.
Cdre Adams-Aliu reiterated that these arrest and seizures are significant successes which underscored the resilience of the Nigerian Navy under the leadership of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, to completely eradicate crude oil theft and contribute to improving Nigeria’s oil production.
According to him, “Notably, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) confirmed recently that Nigeria’s oil production had exceeded 1.8mpd.”
Noting that the Nigerian Navy remains steadfast in its mission to ensure maritime safety, deter illicit activities, and uphold national security within the nation’s maritime domain.
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