Business
‘Navy Stern In Fight Against Oil Theft’
Nigerian Navy says it is not relenting in the fight against oil theft as a demonstration of its unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain and addressing the menace of Crude Oil Theft (COT).
Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, in a statement said the 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, flagged off Operation DELTA SANITY II in Rivers State.
Subsequently, several arrests and seizures were made: in 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.
Ogalla disclosed that on 7th January 2025, NN personnel under the auspices of Operation DELTA SANITY II also intercepted a large wooden boat siphoning crude oil from Enang C Platform in the Iko Area of Akwa-Ibom State.
“The boat had the following items onboard: (1) 2x 10,000 Litre Capacity GP tanks laden with an estimated quantity of 100,000ltrs of stolen crude oil. (2) 12 x 10,000 Litre Capacity GP tanks. (3) 3 x service tanks. (4) submersible pumps. (5) 3 x outboard engines.
“Equally, on 7 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.
“These successful operations in the first week of 2025 reinforces the Nigerian Navy’s resolve to eradicate crude oil theft.
“The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, in January 2025 hereby reiterates that the NN will continue to work assiduously to eradicate maritime crimes in Nigerian waters”.
Ogalla further warned perpetrators of oil-theft to desist from all illegal activities revealing that the NN would soon introduce armed attack drones to foil their operations.