…AS CNS EXTENDS OPS DELTA SANITY
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla has extended the Nigerian Navy’s Operation DELTA SANITY by 90 days after an excellent campaign against crude oil theft and related maritime crimes.
The Director of Naval Information (DINFO), Commodore Aiyuwor Adams-Aliu disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday in a statement stressing that the successes which were immediate and remarkable included the recovery of massive quantities of stolen products, dismantling of Illegal Refining Sites, arrest of suspects, and seizure of stolen products.
Operation Delta Sanity was extended in April 2024 for 90 days after it was launched on 6th January 2024 to combat oil theft and related crimes.
It was learnt that during a press conference highlighting the achievements of the operation on Tuesday, 9th July 2024, the Commander Task Group, Rear Admiral Samson Bura stated that since the extension in April 2024, a total of 22 suspects have been arrested, and while about 122 Illegal Refinery Sites were deactivated.
“Furthermore, large quantities of crude oil and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil were seized and appropriately handled.
“Also, a total of 57 wooden boats, 45 dugout pits, and 65 storage tanks were deactivated while 6 vessels were arrested.
“Additionally, several items and equipment used to construct illegal refineries were seized.
The DINFO Commodore Aiyuwor Adams-Aliu reiterated that this was in line with the President and Commander-in-Chief’s directive to eradicate crude oil theft and ramp up Nigeria’s production for an improved economy.
Accordingly, OPERATION DELTA SANITY involved the deployment of personnel, platforms, helicopters, and Unmanned Ariel Vehicles (UAVs) on aggressive surveillance and interdiction operations across the Niger Delta area.
The achievements and successes of Op DELTA SANITY underscore the need for the operation to be extended. Hence, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla has approved the extension of Operation DELTA SANITY for a further 90 days effective from 10 July 2024.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, 10rh July 2024, onboard Nigerian Navy Ship OKPABANA at Onne, Rivers State by the Chief of Training and Operations, Rear Admiral Olusegun Ferreira who represented the Chief of the Naval Staff.
Additionally, the Chief of the Naval Staff thanked the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for his unwavering support to the Armed Forces in general and the Nigerian Navy in particular.
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