Mbo, Akwa Ibom – February 7, 2025 – Nine suspects involved in economic sabotage at the Asabo D wellhead in Mbo, Akwa Ibom State, have been arrested by Nigerian Navy (NN) personnel.

The suspects, who allegedly used a wooden boat to access the oil facility and siphon large quantities of crude oil, were caught in a well-coordinated maritime operation involving the NN, Seplat Energy officials, and the Department of State Services (DSS).

Successful Joint Operation Under ‘Delta Sanity II’
Addressing the press after the operation, Commodore Abubakar Umar, Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship JUBILEE, emphasized the NN’s commitment to eradicating crimes in the nation’s maritime domain.

“This arrest demonstrates our resolve to eliminate illegal oil activities and protect Nigeria’s economic resources,” Umar stated.

The operation was carried out under the framework of Operation DELTA SANITY II, which was launched on December 30, 2024, by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla. The campaign, led by Rear Admiral Saheed Akinwande as Commander Task Group (CTG), has recorded significant successes in the fight against crude oil theft.

Next Steps: Investigation and Prosecution
The nine suspects have been handed over to the DSS for further investigation and prosecution, reinforcing the strong inter-agency collaboration between the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies.

This latest arrest underscores the Nigerian Navy’s continued vigilance and effectiveness in securing the nation’s oil infrastructure against criminal activities.

Would you like me to expand on previous successes of Operation Delta Sanity II or include statistics on crude oil theft in Nigeria?