The Nigerian Navy has continued to build on the successes of Operation DELTA SANITY, an initiative launched in January 2024 by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, to combat crude oil theft and boost national oil production.
The operation, which involves extensive deployment of Navy personnel, platforms, helicopters, and UAVs for aggressive surveillance and interdiction across the Niger Delta, recorded significant achievements in August 2024.
Key successes include:
August 9, 2024: Destruction of an illegal refinery site, five metal drums, and several pipes at Dumbe camp and Atuo general area of Bayelsa State.
August 12, 2024: Destruction of an illegal refinery site in Ataba Community, Andoni Local Government Area, Rivers State.
August 14, 2024: Destruction of three illegal refinery sites, five refining ovens, three wooden boats, and recovery of large quantities of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil in Brass, Bassambari, and Nembe axis of the Creeks in Bayelsa State.
August 17, 2024: Destruction of four wooden boats and one speed boat used to smuggle stolen products along Odioma/Botokiri Creek, Bayelsa State.
August 17, 2024: Destruction of an illegal refinery site, two cooking pots, several storage tanks, dug-out pits, and seizure of large quantities of refined products in Ekwoke, Sobiekiri, and Ataba areas of Bonny Channel, Rivers State.
August 17, 2024: Destruction of a massive illegal refinery site with a 2 million liters per day capacity along Ogoloma-Bakana waterways in Rivers State.
August 19, 2024: Destruction of an illegal refinary site with storage tanks, a pumping machine, and a wooden boat laden with stolen crude oil in Awoye Riverine community, Illaje Local Government Area, Ondo State.
August 21, 2024: Destruction of an illegal refinery site, two wooden boats, five dug-out pits, and numerous drums containing stolen crude oil in Otumara Creek, Warri, Delta State.
Additionally, the Trans Niger and Trans Escravos pipelines have maintained a 100 percent terminal factor, contributing to a national crude oil production rate of 1.658 million barrels per day as of August 14, 2024, according to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). These achievements underscore the effectiveness of Operation DELTA SANITY.
The Nigerian Navy remains committed to eradicating crude oil theft in Nigeria’s maritime environment, in line with the President and Commander-in-Chief’s directive.
