Under the umbrella of Operation DELTA SANITY, the Nigerian Navy has reported continuous successes in its anti-crude oil theft (COT) and anti-illegal bunkering operations. Various Nigerian Navy platforms deployed for the operation have achieved significant results through aggressive patrols aimed at combating the menace of crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering that has plagued Nigeria’s maritime environment.
According to Director of Information Nigerian Navy Rear Admiral AO Ayo-Vaughan, from the 5th to the 26th of February 2024, several illegal refining sites (IRS) along with metal storage tanks, ovens, wooden boats, dugout pits, fibre boats, and pumping machines were effectively handled as part of the ongoing efforts. Notably, Forward Operating Base FORMOSO at Bayelsa State, on the 19th of February 2024, conducted anti-crude oil theft operations around Brass River, Akassa, Lagosgbene, Tebidaba, and Oyeregbene general area. During this operation, one illegal refining site and two wooden boats loaded with 62.9 barrels (10,000 liters) of suspected stolen crude oil were discovered and appropriately addressed.
He said on the same day, Forward Operating Base ESCRAVOS conducted anti-crude oil theft operations around Aghor-Kutu Community in Warri Southern Local Government Area of Delta State. The operation led to the discovery of one illegal refining site, three ovens, one reservoir, one pumping machine, 10 jerricans, and 38 drums laden with 195.9 barrels (31,150 liters) of suspected stolen crude oil.
Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER conducted anti-crude oil theft operations from the 20th to the 23rd of February 2024 around Abuloma, Abonnema, Woji, and Taraba jetty in Borikiri, Rivers State. The operation included raids on a car wash used for storing illegally refined products, resulting in the discovery of one illegal refining site, seven ovens, 60 drums, and two reservoirs laden with approximately 120,000 liters of product suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
Furthermore, various other operations were conducted by different Nigerian Navy units, including Forward Operating Base IGBOKODA, Forward Operating Base BADAGRY, Forward Operating Base IBAKA, and Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH, leading to the dismantling of illegal refining sites and interception of illicitly obtained products.
In total, during the period under review, three IRS, 15 ovens, two reservoirs, eight wooden boats, and one fibre boat were addressed. Additionally, oil thieves were denied access to approximately 55,120 barrels (8,764,080 liters) of suspected stolen crude oil, 141,200 liters of illegally refined AGO, and 9,000 liters of illegally siphoned Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). The estimated value of the products denied to oil thieves amounted to Seven Billion, Four Hundred and Twenty-Two Million, Seven Hundred and Ninety-Two Thousand, Three Hundred and Two Naira Fifty-Eight Kobo (N7,422,792,302.58) only.
Comparing the figures of the current week with the previous one, there was an increase in the number of ovens, wooden boats, vehicles, and speed boats intercepted, while there was a decrease in illegal refining sites and reservoirs. However, the number of deactivated dugout pits remained the same. The week also witnessed an increase in the quantity of crude oil, AGO, and PMS denied to oil thieves, indicating the effectiveness of Nigerian Navy anti-crude oil theft operations.
Cumulatively, since the inception of Operation DELTA SANITY, approximately 60,815.77 barrels of crude oil, worth $5,218,273.569 (N8,129,424,791.45), 557,580 liters of illegally refined AGO, and Dual-Purpose Kerosene (DPK) worth (N5,592,150) have been denied to oil thieves. This amounts to a total of Eight Billion, Six Hundred and Thirty-Two Million, Five Hundred and Three Thousand, One Hundred and Six Naira Sixty-Two Kobo (N8,632,503,106.62) only, which could have been utilized for activities detrimental to national security and prosperity.
Among the achievements outlined are the arrests of wooden boats, illegal refining ovens, reservoirs, dugout pits, and the deactivation of IRS. Additionally, one vehicle was apprehended during the operations
