In a proactive move against illegal activities within Nigeria’s maritime domain, the Nigerian Navy has made significant interceptions and arrests under Operation DELTA SANITY. On Tuesday, February 6, 2024, Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER intercepted a large wooden boat laden with approximately 60,000 liters of stolen crude along the Cawthorne Channel 1 axis in Rivers State.
Simultaneously, as part of the same operation, Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH discovered stolen crude oil estimated to be around 22,000 liters at Olodiama2 Tebidaba Community in Southern Ijaw, Bayelsa State. The crude oil was being siphoned via a flexible hose connection to the Nigerian Agip Oil Company Tebidaba-Brass pipeline.
Further intensifying efforts, on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, Forward Operating Base BONNY intercepted four wooden boats loaded with approximately 20,500 liters of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). Additionally, a large wooden boat containing numerous illegal refined sites (IRS) with sludge stored in sacks was apprehended.
Three suspects were arrested with a fiber boat conveying metal sheets and iron rods intended for constructing cooking ovens at IRS within Bonny Channel and Cawthorne Channel, Yellow Island Ijawikiri Area of Rivers State.
These operations underscore the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to combatting maritime crimes, including crude oil theft, illegal refining, and related illicit activities within the nation’s waterways. Such efforts are crucial not only for safeguarding Nigeria’s natural resources but also for ensuring maritime security and promoting lawful economic activities.
