The Nigerian Navy has said that some malicious media campaign will not stop its fight against crude oil theft in the country.
The Navy in a statement signed on Thursday by the Director of Information, Rear Admiral AO Ayo-Vaughan, said “…some desperate individuals/organizations engaged in sponsoring of fraudulent and unsubstantiated publications in some mainstream media and online news platforms against the ongoing effort of the Nigerian Navy (NN) towards eradicating the menace of crude oil theft and other forms of illegalities in the Nation’s maritime domain.
“It has been observed that their modus operandi includes sourcing the services of third-party agents/sectional egoists to discredit the reinvigorated stance of the NN in the fight against crude oil theft.”
The Navy, however, said it would maintain its responsibility to ensure that the public is not misinformed on issues pertaining to its operations, through any malicious publications.
It stated its resolve to continue to carry out its constitutional responsibilities, “Suffice to state that the NN in the discharge of her statutory responsibilities as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will continue to work tirelessly for the betterment of the nation’s maritime security.
“It is on record that the NN has always worked harmoniously with all maritime stakeholders nationally, regionally and internationally. The coming onboard of Private Maritime stakeholders for the protection of critical onshore economic assets in the sole interest of the nation’s economy is a known development provided professionalism and Standard Operating Procedures are upheld strictly. Hence, it is complete fallacy to allege to the contrary via sponsored ill-conceived and uncorroborated publications.
“Evidently, the NN as the Lead Agency for the security of Nigeria’s Maritime Environment has been in the forefront of galvanizing legitimate maritime stakeholders for the collective fight against crude oil theft and to secure our national economy assets.
“This is obvious with the various past and ongoing operations and exercises designed to curb maritime criminalities and particularly oil theft. Some of these operations are: Operation DAKAR TA DABARWO, Operation CALM WATERS, Operation NCHEKWE OSHIMILI and Exercise SEA GUARDIAN among others,” the statement reads in part.
A breakdown of its achievement in the fight against crude oil theft in 2023, the Navy stated that, “… operations against crude oil theft in 2023 effected the arrest of 23 ships, over 233 suspects, 690 wooden boats with stolen crude oil and products while over 703 illegal refining sites were destroyed.
“Also, tens of barges, 82 vehicles and tanker trucks were arrested and crude oil and Petroleum products amounting to over N105 billion were confiscated and denied oil thieves. Appropriate prosecuting agencies are in custody of all arrested suspects and the fight against crude oil theft is ongoing with renewed vigour in year 2024.”
The Navy said that being well-guided under the leadership of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, it would not be distracted, but would continue on its line of duty to ensure the eradication of the menace of oil theft in Nigeria.
