Tunde Bakare
Nigerian Navy says it is not relenting in the fight against oil theft in a demonstration of its unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain and addressing the menace of Crude Oil Theft (COT).
The Navy has already achieved significant operational successes under the ongoing Operation DELTA SANITY II.
Recall that on Monday 30 December 2024, the Honourable Minister of State Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri PhD flagged off Operation DELTA SANITY II in Rivers State. Subsequently, the following arrests and seizures were made:
On 6 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.
Also, on 7 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) 2 x 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) 4 x 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 2024 hereby reiterates that the NN will continue to work assiduously to eradicate maritime crimes in Nigerian waters.
Furthermore, perpetrators of oil-theft are hereby warned to desist from all illegal activities as the NN will soon introduce armed attack drones to foil their operations.