The Nigerian Navy says it was able to save the country over N1.058 billion from crude oil thieves in just one week. This feat, it said, was achieved through the activities of its Anti Crude Oil Theft (COT)/Anti-Illegal Bunkering platform, Operation DELTA SANITY.
It said approximately 4,036.7 barrels of crude oil, worth N591,498,491.04 and 270,600 litres of illegally refined AGO worth N157,562,542.57, were recovered from the thieves.
Other achievements made by Operation Delta SANITY include the arrest of 40 wooden boats, destroyed 55 illegal refining ovens, 49 reservoirs, 27 dugout pits and deactivated 19 illegal refining sites (IRS) within the period.
according statement signed by the outgoing Director of Information, Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral AO AYO-VAUGHAN which gave account of the activities of Operation Delta SANITY between January 29 and February 4 2024 said the Nigerian Navy will not relent in its determination to rid the nation’s maritime environment of oil thieves and other criminals.
The statement reads: “The various Nigerian Navy platforms deployed for the Operation have continued to conduct aggressive patrols to combat Crude Oil Theft and illegal oil bunkering within Nigeria’s Maritime Environment. “Resultantly, several Illegal Refining Sites (IRS), metal storage tanks, ovens, wooden boats, dugout pits, fibre boats and pumping machines were appropriately handled from 29 January – 4 February 2024.
“Notably, on 29 January 2024, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER in Rivers State in conjunction with Naval Security Station (NSS) 022, 026 and 028 conducted Recognizance Operations around Elem krakrama Creek and Ke in Degema Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State.
“During the operations, the Team intercepted 6 wooden boats cumulatively laden with about 600 Litres of products suspected to be stolen Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 566.0 barrels (90.000 Litres) of product suspected to be stolen crude oil. Accordingly, the wooden boats and items were deactivated.
“Similarly, on 29 January 2024, Forward Operating Base (FOB) Formoso at Bayelsa State conducted Ant-COT/Illegal bunkering operation around Brass River, Akassa, and Obama general area in Ogbia. They also conducted Operations in Nembe and Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa State. During the operations, the team discovered 4 IRS, 5 ovens and 2 pumping machines.
“They also arrested 5 wooden boats laden with about 704.4 bbls (112,000 litres) of product suspected to be stolen crude oil. Accordingly, the sites and items were dismantled while the products were handled appropriately.
“Also, on 29 January 2024, FOB Escravos in Delta State conducted anti-COT operations around Saghara Creek in Warri South LGA of Delta State. During the operation, the team visited a previously deactivated IRS which was observed to be under reconstruction. The site had one empty reservoir and 5 dug out pits. Accordingly, the site was dismantled while items were deactivated.
“In another development, from 29 January – 2 February 2024, NNS SOROH in Bayelsa State in conjunction with Naval Security Stations 030 and Ocean Marine Solution Houseboat Peremebiri conducted Anti-COT/Anti-Illegal Bunkering operation around Ogbotobo and Fish Camp Community in Atala area of Bayelsa State.
“During the operations, the Team discovered a vandalized flowline station belonging to Shell Petroleum Development Company which was recently reactivated. The Team also found a newly constructed IRS with 2 pumping machines, 3 generators, galvanized pipes, 50 kg gas cylinder, and other construction items.
“The team also found one wooden boat laden with sacks of about 19,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen AGO. Accordingly, the items, wooden boat and products were towed to a safe location and deactivated.
“Similarly, on 30 January 2024, Naval Base Oguta in Imo State conducted Anti-COT/Anti-Illegal Bunkering operation in her immediate environs. During the operations, the team discovered one fibre boat laden with about 7.5bbls (1,200 litres) of product suspected to be stolen crude oil. Accordingly, the boat and product was towed to a safe location and deactivated.
“Furthermore, from 30 January – 2 February 2024, Naval Flying Unit, PortHarcourt conducted aerial surveillance at Abonnema, Temakiri, Aiya Abissa, Ke, Krakrama Tuma, Samkiri, Ukwa West, Ikwuriator, Imo River and Aba River. During surveillance, the Team sighted various IRS and wooden boats laden with unspecified quantity of illegally refined AGO in numerous numbers suspected to have been siphoned from a nearby wellhead. Accordingly, the incident was reported to relevant Units for appropriate action.”
It said in summary, four IRS, five ovens, one reservoir, five dugout pits and 12 wooden boats were appropriately handled during the period under review.
“Additionally, oil thieves were denied about 1,277.9 barrels (203,200 litres) of product suspected to be stolen crude oil and 19,600 litres of illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO) amounting to the sum of One Hundred and Fifty one million, Seven Hundred and Seventy Four Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty Six Naira Thirty Two Kobo (N151,774,256.32) only.”