The Nigerian Navy has continued its onslaught against oil thieves in the country with significant accomplishments in the last three weeks.
An update on the activities of the Nigerian Navy through its Anti Crude Oil Theft (COT)/Anti-Illegal Bunkering effort under the auspices of Operation DELTA SANITY covering February 5 to 26 2024, shows that the operations resulted in saving Nigeria the sum of N7,422,792,302.58 in the last three weeks.
A breakdown of the activities show that oil thieves were denied about 55,120 bbls (8,764,080 litres) of product suspected to be stolen crude oil, 141,200 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil and 9,000 litres of illegally siphoned Premium Motor Spirit all amounting to N7,422,792,302.58.
The operation also destroyed three illegal refinery sites (IRS), 15 ovens, two reservoirs, eight wooden boats and one fibre boat, during the period under review.
A statement by the Navy said in furtherance of the Nigerian Navy’s Anti Crude Oil Theft (COT)/Anti-Illegal Bunkering effort under the auspices of Operation DELTA SANITY, continuous successes have been recorded by the various Nigerian Navy platforms deployed for the Operation through aggressive patrols to combat the menace of Crude Oil Theft and illegal oil bunkering plaguing Nigeria’s Maritime Environment.
“Several Illegal Refining Sites (IRS) metal storage tanks, ovens, wooden boats, dugout pits, fibre boats and pumping machines were appropriately handled as well as the conduct of swamp buggy operations from 5 – 26 February 2024,” the statement reads.
“Forward Operating Base (FORMOSO) at Bayelsa State, on 19 February 2024, conducted anti- Crude Oil Theft operations around Brass River as well as Akassa, Lagosgbene, Tebidaba and Oyeregbene general area. During the operation, the team discovered one Illegal Refining Site and two wooden boats cumulatively laden with 62.9 barrels (10,000 litres) of product suspected to be stolen crude oil.
“Accordingly, the Illegal Refining Sites were dismantled while the boats and products were towed to safe locations and handled appropriately.
“Also, on 19 February 2024, Forward Operating Base ESCRAVOS conducted anti-Crude Oil Theft operations around Aghor-Kutu Community in Warri Southern Local Government Area of Delta State. During the operations, the team discovered one Illegal Refining Site, three ovens, one reservoir, one pumping machine, 10 jerricans and 38 drums laden with 195.9 barrels (31,150 litres) of product suspected to be stolen crude oil. Accordingly, the Illegal Refining Site was dismantled while the products were towed to safe location and handled appropriately.”
The statement further states that Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER, conducted anti-Crude Oil Theft operations From 20 – 23 February 2024, around Abuloma, Abonnema, Woji, and Taraba jetty in Borikiri, Rivers State.
“During the operation, the team raided a car wash used for storing illegally refined products. The team discovered one Illegal Refining Site, seven ovens, 60 drums and two reservoirs laden with about 120,000 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil.
“The team also intensified operations around Cawthorne Channel 1 in Bille general area which led to the discovery of a wellhead where crude oil was being siphoned. At the site, one large wooden boat was discovered laden with about 283.0 barrels (45,000Litres) of product suspected to be stolen crude oil. Accordingly, all products and their items were towed to safe location s and handled appropriately
“Also, on 21 February 2024, Forward Operating Base IGBOKODA, conducted anti-Crude Oil Theft operations around Agadagba in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State. During the operation, the team discovered four wooden boats laden
with 1,200 litres of products suspected to be stolen Automotive Gas Oil. Accordingly, the Illegal Refining Site was dismantled while products were towed to a safe location and handled appropriately.
“On 21 February 2024, Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH patrol team while on routine patrol intercepted 2 private vehicles conveying 79 sacks of product suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil estimated to be 20,000 litres around Okarki general areas of Bayelsa State. Additionally, the team in conjunction with NSS 030 conducted anti-Crude Oil Theft operation around Egbosuwy general area. “During the operation, the team intercepted five ovens, nine drums, 25 iron pipes, one pumping machine and one wooden boat laden with about 1,500 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil. Accordingly, the vehicles and products were towed to a safe location and handled appropriately.
“Furthermore, on 22 February 2024, Forward Operating Base BADAGRY patrol team conducted cordon and search operations around Agbojetho Akorin in Lagos State. During the operations, the team discovered 9,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil in a building. Accordingly, the products were evacuated to the Base for further investigation.
“On 22 February 2024, Forward Operating Base IBAKA patrol team intercepted a large wooden boat from Republic of Cameroon around Uyenghe in Ibaka area, Cross River State. The boat was laden with about 5,100 litres of product suspected to be illegally siphoned Premium Motor Spirit concealed under other utility items. Accordingly, two suspects and cargo onboard were handed over to the NSCDC for further investigation and prosecution.
Comparing the figures of the week under focus with those of the previous week, the Navy said there is an increase in the number of ovens, wooden boats, vehicles and speed boats while a decrease in Illegal Refining Site (IRS) and reservoirs. However, the number of dugout pits deactivated remains the same. Also, the week under focus witnessed an increase in quantity of crude oil, Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) denied oil thieves during the period in focus. This gives credence to the effectiveness of Nigerian Navy anti-Crude Oil Theft operations.
Cumulatively, a review of Operation DELTA SANITY from inception to date revealed that approximately 60,815.77 barrels of crude oil, worth $5,218,273.569 (N8,129,424,791.45), 557,580 litres of illegally refined AGO worth (N497,486,165.17) and Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) worth (N5,592,150). Cumulatively the sum 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 that could have been used to perpetrate acts inimical to national security and prosperity was denied oil thieves.