The Nigerian Navy has recorded major successes in its ongoing campaign against crude oil theft and illegal refining activities, with several high-profile operations carried out in the month of March under Operation Delta Sanity II.
According to a statement released on Saturday by Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, Director of Naval Information, and posted on the Navy’s official Facebook page, personnel conducted a series of targeted operations across Delta, Rivers, and Bayelsa States. These efforts led to the deactivation of multiple illegal refinery sites, seizure of large volumes of stolen crude oil and refined products, and the arrest of suspects in possession of illegal arms and ammunition.
On March 7, naval operatives uncovered an illegal refinery site around the Oteghele community in Obodo Omadino, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State. The site was laden with approximately 5,500 litres of stolen crude oil, 2,000 litres of illegally refined diesel (AGO), and various refining equipment. In subsequent days, further operations in the same area uncovered additional illegal sites and led to the confiscation of thousands of litres of crude and refined products.
In Rivers State, the Navy intercepted a large wooden boat conveying 40,000 litres of crude oil around the Okrika and Ogajama area on March 8. A few days later, on March 9, a significant breakthrough was recorded with the arrest of the vessel MFT Olokun VIII along the Saint Nicholas River in Bayelsa State. The vessel was found carrying illegal arms, including a G3 rifle, a pump-action gun, various rounds of ammunition, and live cartridges. Two suspects were apprehended in connection with the weapons and are set to face prosecution.
The operations intensified further with the discovery of a vandalised wellhead, multiple illegal refinery sites, and massive quantities of stolen crude in Ohaji/Egbema West, Rivers State. By mid-March, naval forces had seized over 55,000 litres of stolen crude oil and thousands of litres of refined products in coordinated operations across the Niger Delta.
In the latter part of the month, additional seizures were made along Dodo River in Bayelsa State and the Bille/Krakrama waterways in Rivers, with several boats caught in the act of siphoning crude oil directly from wellheads.
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, reaffirmed the Navy’s resolve to intensify maritime security operations in line with directives from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He emphasized that the Nigerian Navy remains fully committed to safeguarding the nation’s oil assets, curbing economic sabotage, and supporting national efforts to improve crude oil production.
Operation Delta Sanity II continues to serve as a critical pillar in the Navy’s strategic push to restore sanity in Nigeria’s oil-rich coastal regions and ensure the economic stability of the nation.
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