The Nigerian Navy has announced significant successes in its ongoing anti-crude oil theft campaign, Operation Delta Sanity II, with numerous illegal activities disrupted throughout March 2025 across the Niger Delta.
In a detailed report released by Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, Director of Information, the Navy revealed that dozens of illegal refinery sites, storage facilities, boats, and stolen petroleum products were discovered and deactivated in Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, and Ondo States.
Highlights of the operation include:
- March 7–10: Multiple illegal refinery sites were uncovered around Obodo Omadino in Warri, Delta State, yielding over 10,000 litres of stolen crude oil and illegally refined diesel.
- March 8: A wooden boat carrying 40,000 litres of crude oil was seized near Okrika, Rivers State.
- March 9: A vessel, MFT Olokun VIII, was intercepted in Bayelsa with illegal firearms and ammunition. Two suspects were arrested.
- March 13–27: The Navy dismantled dozens of ovens, reservoirs, and dugout pits at illegal sites across Ohaji/Egbema (Rivers), Ekeremor (Bayelsa), and Ilaje (Ondo), seizing over 200,000 litres of crude oil and refined products.
- March 27: A major breakthrough saw the deactivation of a suspected cultist and kidnappers’ camp in Rivers State, alongside the seizure of 70,000 litres of crude oil, 25,000 litres of diesel, and 15,000 litres of kerosene.
- March 31: In Bayelsa’s Tumburu community, the Navy shut down a large illegal refinery operation with 30,000 litres of crude oil and 5,000 litres of AGO.
Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to securing national assets and curbing crude oil theft in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to boost economic stability and oil production.
The Navy urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities, assuring continued enforcement across Nigeria’s maritime domain.
