The Nigerian Navy has recovered approximately 80,000 litres of crude oil in two separate anti-crude oil theft operations in Delta State and arrested three suspected drug traffickers in a joint operation with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
In a statement, Director of Naval Information Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho said the operations, conducted under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, targeted illegal crude oil activities and illicit drug trafficking within the Navy’s area of responsibility.
In the first operation, personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) DELTA on September 21 discovered a large dugout reservoir containing approximately 30,000 litres of crude oil in the Oteghele general area.
Two days later, on September 23, another operation in the Obodo Amadino general area led to the discovery of a second dugout reservoir containing an estimated 50,000 litres of crude oil.
The Navy said the recovered crude oil was handled in accordance with established procedures.
In a related operation on September 22, NNS DELTA personnel, working with the NDLEA, conducted a joint raid on suspected illicit drug activities in the Warri general area and its environs.
The operation led to the arrest of three suspects and the seizure of approximately 15 kilogrammes of Cannabis sativa, 0.5 gramme of cocaine and 0.5 gramme of methamphetamine, popularly known as crystal meth.
The suspects and recovered illicit substances were subsequently handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and necessary legal action.
The Navy said the operations demonstrated its continued efforts to tackle multiple dimensions of maritime and coastal insecurity, including crude oil theft, illegal petroleum activities and drug trafficking.
It also highlighted the importance of inter-agency cooperation in disrupting criminal activities and strengthening security within the Niger Delta.
