By Philip Nwosu
The Nigerian Navy has intensified its operations against crude oil theft and maritime crimes, achieving significant successes in January 2025.
According to a statement by the Navy’s spokesperson, Commodore Awiyour Adams Aliu, the series of operations conducted under Operation Delta Sanity have led to multiple arrests and seizures across several states, reinforcing the Navy’s commitment to securing Nigeria’s waterways.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, reiterated the Navy’s dedication to eliminating crude oil theft and other illegal activities in the nation’s maritime domain. He emphasized that the force will sustain its aggressive operations to combat illegal refining and associated crimes.
Commodore Aliu disclosed that between 6 and 10 January 2025, the Navy intercepted 22,000 litres of stolen crude oil around the Krakrama area of Rivers State and Obe Nla in Ondo State.
In Rivers State, operatives seized a wooden boat and a fibre boat carrying approximately 2,000 litres of stolen crude oil. Additionally, security forces discovered and dismantled nine interconnected illegal refinery sites in Obe Nla, Ondo State, confiscating 1,400 litres of illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO), two pumping machines, and two locally made wooden boats.
In Akwa Ibom State, a wooden passenger and cargo boat loaded with six 250-litre drums of illegally refined Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) was seized, leading to the arrest of five suspected culprits.
The statement further detailed a series of successful operations across Rivers, Ondo, and Bayelsa states:
Rivers State: A vandalised pipeline at Akaso Well 14 and 17, linked to a dugout pit containing 20,000 litres of stolen crude oil, was discovered and reported to the authorities. Additionally, illegal refinery sites at Ikputukiri Camp and Tuma-Bille were dismantled, with 4,000 litres of stolen crude oil seized.
Bayelsa State: Three illegal refinery sites in the Azuzuwama-Okpuktuari area were shut down, with authorities confiscating 20 drums of illegally refined AGO.
Ondo State: A 30-metre wooden boat carrying 40,000 litres of stolen crude oil was intercepted in Ilaje, while a storehouse containing 1,500 litres of illegally refined AGO was discovered and seized in Abalama.
Further operations in Rivers State led to the deactivation of several illegal refinery sites in Ogajama, where metal storage tanks, cooking tanks, reservoirs, and a vandalised wellhead were discovered. Five abandoned wooden boats used for oil transportation were also confiscated.
Security operatives dismantled a refining site in Tuma and Buguma, confiscating 3,000 litres of stolen crude oil along with various refining equipment. Multiple illegal refineries and vandalised wellheads were also shut down in Egbema West and Onne, leading to the recovery of over 46,000 litres of stolen crude oil and illegally refined AGO.
A large illegal refinery site in Kubufari, Rivers State, containing multiple storage tanks, dugout pits, and 3,400 litres of stolen crude oil, was deactivated.
The Navy emphasized that these operations highlight its unwavering resolve to protect Nigeria’s national resources and uphold maritime security in line with government directives. The force assured the public that it would maintain a relentless approach in dismantling illicit operations and bringing perpetrators to justice.