Navy makes strides in Operation Delta Sanity, denies oil thieves N150m in one week

The Nigerian Navy’s ongoing Operation Delta Sanity continues to yield results, with recent operations between January 29th and February 4th leading to the seizure of stolen crude oil and refined products worth over N150 million.

The Navy in a statement signed by its Director of Information, Rear Admiral Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, added that since inception, the Operation Delta Sanity has recovered a total of 4,036 barrels of crude oil and 270,600 liters of illegally refined AGO, worth over N1 billion.

Givng a detailed account of the operations, highlighting the navy’s aggressive stance against illegal activities in the country’s maritime environment, Ayo- Vaughan said, key achievements within the review period include the dismantling of 4 Illegal Refining Sites (IRS) , 5 ovens, one reservoir, 5 dugout pits and 12 wooden boats.

According to the statement, “Notably, on 29 January 2024, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER in Rivers State in conjunction with Naval Security Station (NSS) 022, 026 and 028 conducted Recognizance Operations around Elem krakrama Creek and Ke in Degema Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State.

“During the operations, the Team intercepted 6 wooden boats cumulatively laden with about 600 Litres of products suspected to be stolen Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 566.0 barrels (90.000 Litres) of product suspected to be stole crude oil. Accordingly, the wooden boats and items were deactivated.”

Other successful operations took place in Bayelsa, Delta, and Imo States, targeting various sites involved in illegal bunkering.

The efforts resulted in the deactivation of Illegal Refining Sites, confiscation of pumping machines, and arrests of wooden boats laden with stolen crude oil.

“In another development, from 29 January – 2 February 2024, NNS SOROH in Bayelsa State in conjunction with Naval Security Stations 030 and Ocean Marine Solution Houseboat Peremebiri conducted Anti-COT/Anti-Illegal Bunkering operation around Ogbotobo and Fish Camp Community in Atala area of Bayelsa State.

“During the operations, the Team discovered a vandalized flowline station belonging to Shell Petroleum Development Company which was recently reactivated. The Team also found a newly constructed IRS with 2 pumping machines, 3 generators, galvanized pipes, 50 kg gas cylinder, and other construction items. The team also found one wooden boat laden with sacks of about 19,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen AGO. Accordingly, the items, wooden boat and products were towed to a safe location and deactivated.

“Similarly, on 30 January 2024, Naval Base Oguta in Imo State conducted Anti-COT/Anti-Illegal Bunkering operation in her immediate environs. During the operations, the team discovered one fibre boat laden with about 7.5bbls (1,200 litres) of product suspected to be stolen crude oil. Accordingly, the boat and product was towed to a safe location and deactivated.

“Furthermore, from 30 January – 2 February 2024, Naval Flying Unit, PortHarcourt conducted aerial surveillance at Abonnema, Temakiri, Aiya Abissa, Ke, Krakrama Tuma, Samkiri, Ukwa West, Ikwuriator, Imo River and Aba River. During surveillance, the Team sighted various IRS and wooden boats laden with unspecified quantity of illegally refined AGO in numerous numbers suspected to have been siphoned from a nearby wellhead. Accordingly, the incident was reported to relevant Units for appropriate action.

“In summary, 4 IRS, 5 ovens, one reservoir, 5 dugout pits and 12 wooden boats were appropriately handled during the period under review. Additionally, oil thieves were denied about 1,277.9 barrels (203,200 litres) of product suspected to be stolen crude oil and 19,600 litres of illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO) amounting to the sum of N151,774,256.32) only, ” the statement said.

In addition to the tangible results, the Navy reported the arrest of 40 wooden boats and the deactivation of 55 illegal refining ovens,49 reservoirs, 27 dugout pits, and 19 deactivated IRS, marking significant strides in the ongoing efforts to secure Nigeria’s maritime environment and curb illicit activities related to crude oil theft.