In a demonstration of its unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain and addressing the menace of Crude Oil Theft (COT) the Nigerian Navy has achieved significant operational successes under the ongoing Operation DELTA SANITY II.
Recall that on Monday, 30th December 2024, the Honourable Minister of State Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri PhD flagged off Operation DELTA SANITY II in Rivers State.
As a result, on 6th January, 2025 Nigerian Navy (NN) personnel under the auspices of Operation DELTA SANITY II discovered an illegal refining site around Igbomotoru area of Bayelsa State with large quantity of stolen crude oil. The illicit products were seized and handled in compliance with existing regulations.
Disclosing this in Abuja on Thursday, the Director of Information (DINFO), Nigerian Navy, Commodore Aiyuwor Adams-Aliu said that on the 7th January, 2025, NN personnel also intercepted a large wooden boat siphoning crude oil from Enang C Platform in the Iko Area of Akwa-Ibom State.
During arrest, the boat was found to have the following items onboard: 2 x 10,000 Litre Capacity GP tanks laden with an estimated quantity of 100,000 litres of stolen crude oil.
In addition, 12 x 10,000 Litre Capacity GP tanks; 3 x service tanks; 4 x submersible pumps and 3 x outboard engines.
On the same day, 7th January, 2025, NN personnel of Forward Operating Base Igbokoda discovered an Illegal Refinery Site in the Obe-Nla Riverine Community Ilaje Local Government Area, of Ondo State.
The operation led to the deactivation of 9 interlinked Illegal Refinery Site camps, including 5 active reservoirs. Items recovered included approximately 20,000 litres of crude oil, 1,400 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, pumping machines, and locally fabricated boats.
Commodore Adams-Aliu noted thay these successful operations in the first week of 2025 reinforce the Nigerian Navy’s resolve to eradicate crude oil theft.
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla in January 2024 reiterated that the NN would continue to work assiduously to eradicate maritime crimes in Nigerian waters.
He warned that perpetrators of oil-theft should desist from all illegal activities as the NN will soon introduce armed attack drones to foil their operations.
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