The Nigerian Navy’s ongoing efforts to combat crude oil theft and illegal bunkering under Operation Delta Sanity have yielded considerable success, as reported by Rear Admiral Ayodotun Ayo-Vaughan, the Director of Information for the Nigerian Navy.
In a statement, Ayo-Vaughan highlighted the aggressive patrols conducted by various Nigerian Navy platforms to address these maritime crimes within Nigeria’s territorial waters. As a result, several illegal refining sites, metal storage tanks, ovens, boats, pits, and pumping machines associated with crude oil theft were identified and appropriately addressed.
One notable operation involved Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER in Rivers State, which intercepted six wooden boats transporting suspected stolen automotive gas oil (AGO) and crude oil. Similarly, Forward Operating Base (FOB) Formoso in Bayelsa State uncovered illegal refining sites and arrested wooden boats laden with suspected stolen crude oil.
FOB Escravos in Delta State dismantled a previously deactivated illegal refining site under reconstruction, while NNS SOROH in Bayelsa State discovered a vandalised flowline station and a newly constructed illegal refining site. Naval Base Oguta in Imo State also apprehended a fibre boat carrying suspected stolen crude oil.
Additionally, the Naval Flying Unit conducted aerial surveillance in various locations, identifying numerous illegal refining sites and wooden boats suspected of transporting stolen oil.
Overall, during the period under review, a significant amount of stolen crude oil and illegally refined AGO were prevented from reaching the market, totaling over One Billion Naira. Additionally, numerous arrests were made, and illegal facilities were dismantled, further strengthening the Navy’s efforts to curb maritime crimes.