The Nigerian Navy, through its Operation Delta Sanity, has ramped up efforts in the Niger Delta region to tackle crude oil theft.
The leadership of the Navy stated on Thursday that troops, working with naval units in Bayelsa, Delta, and Imo states, are intensifying operations to curb illegal activities, especially focusing on oil theft, which remains a significant challenge in the region.
According to a statement by the Nigerian Navy spokesperson, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, two of the arrested oil thieves were linked to the murder of three soldiers on June 11, 2024.
The soldiers were killed during an attack on the SEEPCO oil facility at Oguikpele Community in Ogbaru LGA, Anambra State.
He stated that the suspected criminals were apprehended by personnel from the Naval Outpost ONITSHA during an operation conducted within the period under review.
Adams-Aliu highlighted that from April 20 to 22, 2024, a series of coordinated operations were carried out under the Nigerian Navy’s Operation Delta Sanity.
During this period, naval units in Bayelsa, Delta, and Imo States intensified their crackdown on crude oil thieves.
“On Monday, 21 April 2025, Forward Operating Base ESCRAVOS discovered and deactivated two illegal refinery sites with two refining ovens and 10 dugout pits laden with large amounts of stolen crude oil in Oteghele, Obodo Omadino Community, Warri South-West LGA, Delta State.
“Also on Monday, 21 April 2025, Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH intercepted and impounded two vehicles laden with several sacks of illegally refined products in OlodoCommunity, Bayelsa State. On Tuesday, 22 April 2025, Naval Outpost ONITSHA apprehended two suspects with a locally made rifle and 10 machetes.”
The naval spokesperson pointed out that the suspects were in the process of attacking the SEEPCO oil facility in Oguikpele Community, Ogbaru LGA, Anambra State. He further stated that investigations revealed the suspects’ alleged involvement in the attack that led to the killing of three soldiers on June 11, 2024.
He said the Nigerian Navy Ship DELTA, on Tuesday, 22 April 2025, discovered and deactivated two illegal refinery sites with nine dugout pits, several sacks and drums laden with large amounts of illegally refined AGO and stolen crude oil in BernnetIsland and Obodo Omadino Community, Warri South-West LGA, Delta State.
He added that in the three-day coordinated anti-crude oil theft operations, a total of six suspects were arrested, while four illegal refinery sites and nine dugout pits were deactivated, and two vehicles were seized.
The operations, he stated, highlighted the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to eradicating crude oil theft and other illicit activities in the maritime domain, in line with the directive from the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla.
