The Nigerian Navy said it has extended its Operation Delta Sanity by 90 days to intensify efforts against oil theft and related crimes in the Niger Delta region. Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), authorized the extension following a directive from President Bola Tinubu to eradicate crude oil theft and enhance Nigeria’s oil production for economic improvement.
Naval spokesman Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, announced the extension in a statement on Wednesday. He highlighted that Operation Delta Sanity, initiated on January 6, involves deploying personnel, platforms, helicopters, and UAVs for aggressive surveillance and interdiction operations across the Niger Delta.
Adams-Aliu reported significant achievements from the operation, including recovering substantial quantities of stolen products, dismantling illegal refining sites, arresting suspects, and seizing stolen goods. The operation was initially extended in April for 90 days.
Rear Admiral Samson Bura, Commander of the Task Group, recently disclosed that since April, 22 suspects have been arrested and 122 illegal refinery sites deactivated. Additionally, large quantities of crude oil and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil have been seized.
The operation also resulted in deactivating 57 wooden boats, 45 dugout pits, and 65 storage tanks, and arresting six vessels. Equipment and items used in constructing illegal refineries were also seized.
“The achievements and successes of Operation Delta Sanity underscore the need for the operation to be extended,” Adams-Aliu stated.
The Chief of Naval Staff has approved the extension of Operation Delta Sanity for an additional 90 days, effective from July 10, 2024, to sustain the momentum in combating oil theft and ensuring the security of Nigeria’s oil resources.
