The Nigerian Navy, under Operation Delta Sanity II, has seized over 107,350 litres of stolen crude oil and its by-products in an ongoing effort to combat crude oil theft and economic sabotage in the Niger Delta and South West regions.
Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, Director of Naval Information, disclosed on Saturday that the operations, conducted throughout February in Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, Ondo, and Delta states, reaffirm the Navy’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s maritime domain and eliminating crude oil theft.
The crackdown led to the confiscation of multiple wooden and fibre boats, illegal refinery sites, storage tanks, reservoirs, and dug-out pits containing stolen crude oil and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). The largest busts occurred in Egbema West, Rivers State, where 50,000 litres of stolen crude oil were seized, and in Clough Creek, Bayelsa State, where 30,000 litres were discovered.
Additionally, suspected oil vandals were arrested along Well 17T Flowline in Rivers State, while several illegal refinery sites were deactivated across affected states.
The Navy’s efforts have positively impacted Nigeria’s crude oil output, with the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) confirming a production increase to 1.75 million barrels per day.
Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, Chief of the Naval Staff, reaffirmed the Navy’s unwavering commitment to eradicating maritime crimes and securing the nation’s oil assets.
