Nigerian Navy Confiscate Stolen Crude Oil, Destroys Illegal Refining Sites in Niger Delta

The Nigerian Navy has made substantial progress in its fight against crude oil theft and illegal refining operations in the Niger Delta.

Under the auspices of Operation DELTA SANITY, the Navy has recorded several key achievements that shows its commitment to eradicating these illicit activities.

In a statement released by Commodore Adams Aliyu, Director of Information, it was revealed that on August 29, seven large Cotonou boats and two fiber boats operated by heavily armed oil thieves were seized at an illegal loading point around the Botokiri axis of Nembe Local Government Area in Bayelsa State.

"These boats were being used to load stolen crude oil," said Commodore Aliyu. Further successes followed on August 31, when six suspected crude oil thieves were arrested along with 109 sacks of illegally refined petroleum products. Additionally, four fiber boats and two wooden boats were confiscated in the Ogboinbiri-Kasama-Azama-Isoni area of Bayelsa State.

The operation continued to yield results into September. On September 1, two wooden boats and 328 sacks of illegally refined Automated Gas Oil were seized at the Otuogori community river bank in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

The following day, another 35 sacks of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil were confiscated from a wooden boat in the Gbaraun area of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

"The success recorded shows the effectiveness of Operation DELTA SANITY and our resolve to sustain current efforts to rid Nigeria’s maritime environment of the menace of crude oil theft," Commodore Aliyu emphasized. He added that these actions are crucial for enhancing crude oil production and ensuring economic stability in the region.