In a major crackdown on illegal oil activities, the Nigerian Navy’s Operation Delta Sanity has successfully deactivated 41 illicit refining sites and confiscated stolen crude oil and other related products valued at N8.6 billion over a three-week period.

According to Rear Admiral  Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, Director of Naval Information, the operation, aimed at combating oil theft and illegal oil bunkering in Nigeria’s maritime domain, saw the deployment of various Nigerian Navy assets.

He explains that between February 5 and February 22, naval forces apprehended a total of 51 wooden boats and three fiber boats. Additionally, 104 illegal refining ovens, 85 reservoirs, and 288 dugout pits were destroyed during the operation.

The seized items included approximately 60,815.77 barrels of crude oil valued at N8.1 billion, 557,580 liters of gas worth N497.4 million, and N5.5 million worth of kerosene.

Admiral Ayo-Vaughan highlighted specific operations conducted by naval units, such as the Forward Operation Base (FOB) FORMOSO in Bayelsa, which dismantled illegal refining sites and confiscated boats carrying suspected stolen crude oil.

Similar operations were carried out by other naval units, including the interception of vehicles transporting illegally refined gas and the discovery of hidden crude oil siphoning activities.

In total, three illegal refining sites, 15 ovens, two reservoirs, eight wooden boats, and one fiber boat were dealt with during the period. The Navy’s efforts resulted in preventing the theft of approximately 55,120 barrels of crude oil, 141,200 liters of illegally refined gas, and 9,000 liters of illegally siphoned petrol, amounting to N7.4 billion.

The Navy remains committed to curbing illicit activities in Nigeria’s maritime environment, safeguarding national security and prosperity. Suspects and confiscated items have been handed over to relevant authorities for further investigation and prosecution.