In a continuous demonstration of its unwavering commitment to securing Nigeria’s maritime domain and eradicating crude oil theft, the Nigerian Navy has recorded remarkable operational successes under the ongoing Operation DELTA SANITY II.
Throughout February 2025, multiple seizures and deactivations of illegal refinery sites have reinforced the Navy’s determination to combat illicit activities in Nigeria’s waters. According to a statement signed by Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, Director of Information, these operations underscore the Navy’s proactive measures in safeguarding the nation’s resources.
On February 1, a wooden boat carrying 19 drums, each containing 250 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), was intercepted around Effiat Creek, Akwa Ibom State, while being smuggled to the Republic of Cameroon. Similarly, on February 5, another wooden boat laden with 14 drums of PMS was seized around Ebughu Creek in Akwa Ibom State. These operations effectively disrupted the illegal transportation of petroleum products across national waters.
Further successes were recorded in Rivers State on February 9, when a fibre boat carrying approximately 1,000 litres of stolen crude oil was seized in the Buguma and Tuma general area. On the same day, a large wooden boat containing about 5,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil was also confiscated in the Opotumbi area. These efforts highlight the Navy’s relentless pursuit of crude oil thieves operating within the region.
Continuing the momentum, the Navy on February 11 seized a fibre boat carrying about 1,300 litres of stolen crude oil in the Buguma and Tuma general area. A day later, on February 12, an illegal refinery site was uncovered in Isaka, Ogajama general area of Rivers State. The site contained five cooking tanks, four metal storage tanks, six reservoirs, and 15 dug-out pits filled with approximately 1,500 litres of stolen crude oil and 1,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
Additionally, another illegal refinery site was discovered the same day at Clough Creek in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. This site housed three refining ovens, three receiving units, two wooden boats, and one dug-out pit collectively storing over 30,000 litres of stolen crude oil, all of which were subsequently deactivated.
In Ondo State, the Navy intercepted a wooden boat on February 13 conveying 1,400 litres of illegally refined AGO in 44 jerry cans around Ese-Odo Local Government Area. Similar actions were taken in Bayelsa State on February 15, where two illegal refinery sites containing 1,000 litres of illegally refined AGO and 4,000 litres of stolen crude oil were deactivated at Otugbene in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
On February 16, four active illegal refinery sites were discovered and dismantled in Obodo Omadino, Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State. These sites had four ovens, 10 dug-out pits, one storage tank, 13 sacks of stolen crude oil, two drums loaded with stolen crude oil, and 47 polythene sacks filled with illegally refined AGO. In total, approximately 2,500 litres of stolen crude oil and 2,700 litres of illegally refined AGO were recovered.
Operations continued in Rivers State on February 17, where two suspected vandals were arrested along the Well 17T Flowline with two saws used for cutting pipelines and a wooden boat in their possession. On February 18, the Navy seized three fibre boats loaded with illegally refined AGO in 137 jerry cans along Ugbonla water site in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State. The same day, two illegal refinery sites containing about 22,000 litres of stolen crude oil were discovered and deactivated in a camp around Ojumole Riverine community in Ilaje Local Government Area.
One of the most significant operations took place on February 19 in Egbema West, Rivers State, where the Navy dismantled several illegal refinery sites containing approximately 70 ovens, 40 reservoirs, and 50 dug-out pits. The operation resulted in the seizure of about 50,000 litres of stolen crude oil and 5,000 litres of illegally refined AGO. The month’s operations concluded on February 26 with another crackdown in Clough Creek, Bayelsa State, where an illegal refinery site with three refining ovens, three receiving units, and three dug-out pits containing over 12,000 litres of stolen crude oil was deactivated.
Since its launch on December 30, 2024, Operation DELTA SANITY II has successfully curtailed crude oil theft, contributing to the steady increase in Nigeria’s oil production. The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, recently acknowledged the impact of these efforts, stating that Nigeria’s daily oil production has risen to approximately 1.75 million barrels per day. This, he confirmed, underscores the effectiveness of the Navy’s intensified maritime security operations.
Affirming the commitment of the Nigerian Navy to its mandate, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, reiterated the force’s dedication to combating maritime crimes and safeguarding the nation’s waters. With continuous efforts, the Navy remains resolute in its mission to ensure the security of Nigeria’s vital resources and maritime economy.
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