The Nigerian Navy’s Operation DELTA SANITY II has successfully contributed to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain and combatting crude oil theft (COT) in January 2025.
In a statement, the Director of Information, Navy, Commodore Awiyor Adams-Aliu, attributed these successes to the unwavering commitment of the troops in the continued fight against oil theft.
The following arrests and seizures were made in January 2025:
January 6: One wooden boat and one fibre boat, loaded with approximately 2,000 liters of stolen crude oil, were seized around Krakrama in Rivers State.
January 7: Nine illegal refinery sites, 20,000 liters of stolen crude oil in four large tanks, 1,400 liters of illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO), two pumping machines, and two locally fabricated wooden boats were discovered, deactivated, and seized at Obe-Nla riverine community in Ilaje
Local Government Area, Ondo State.
January 10: A medium-sized wooden passenger/cargo boat carrying six 250-liter drums filled with illegally refined Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) was seized around Bendero and Uta Uyata in Mbo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State. Five suspects were arrested.
January 11: A militant camp in Opu-Okumbiri, Akassa axis, Brass Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, was raided, leading to the arrest of two suspected kidnappers. The items seized included one AK 56 assault rifle, three locally fabricated guns, five pump-action guns, one foreign double-barrel gun, ammunition, and personal items such as phones, a debit card, and cash.
January 12: A vandalized point along the Akaso well 14 and 17 flow lines, connected to a dugout pit containing approximately 20,000 liters of stolen crude oil, was discovered in Tuma and Krakrama in Rivers State. The stolen crude was seized.
January 15: Three illegal refinery sites with 20 drums of illegally refined AGO were recovered around Azuzuwama Okpuktuari, Bayelsa State.
January 17: An illegal refinery site with 2,000 liters of stolen crude oil was deactivated at Ikputukiri camp, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State. Another site with 10 dugout pits and a wooden boat loaded with 2,000 liters of stolen crude oil was seized at Tuma and Bille in Rivers State.
January 19: A 30-meter wooden boat loaded with 40,000 liters of stolen crude oil was seized at Obe-Nla Riverine community, Ilaje Local Government Area, Ondo State.
January 20: A storehouse with 1,500 liters of illegally refined AGO was discovered and seized at Abalama, Rivers State.
January 21: An illegal refinery site with a large quantity of stolen crude oil was deactivated at Otuwo, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.
January 22: Several illegal refinery sites with cooking tanks, metal storage tanks, reservoirs, and a vandalized wellhead were discovered and deactivated at Ogajama in Rivers State. Additionally, five abandoned wooden boats used for transporting stolen crude oil were seized. Another wooden boat with 2,500 liters of stolen crude oil was discovered and seized at Tuma and Bille, Rivers State.
January 23: A wooden boat with 3,000 liters of illegally siphoned crude oil, along with an illegal refinery site, cooking tanks, and reservoirs, was discovered and deactivated at Tuma and Buguma, Rivers State.
January 27: Several illegal refinery sites, six vandalized wellheads, 110 ovens, and 45 reservoirs containing stolen crude oil and illegally refined AGO were deactivated and seized at Egbema West and Onne Local Government Area, Rivers State. Additionally, 31,000 liters of stolen crude oil and 15,000 liters of illegally refined AGO were recovered.
January 27: Two illegal refinery sites with 7,500 liters of stolen crude oil and 1,700 liters of illegally refined AGO were discovered and deactivated at Obodo Omadino, Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State.
January 28: An illegal refinery site with eight cooking pots, several metal storage tanks, 15 dugout pits, and a reservoir containing 3,400 liters of stolen crude oil was discovered and deactivated at Kubufari, Degema Local Government Area, Rivers State.
These successful operations throughout January 2025 highlight the Nigerian Navy’s determination to eradicate crude oil theft and maritime crimes in Nigerian waters.
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, reiterated that the Nigerian Navy will remain committed to continuing the fight against maritime crimes in the country’s waters.
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