Oil Theft: Navy arrests 22, extends Operation Delta Sanity by 90 days
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla, has extended the Nigerian Navy’s Operation DELTA SANITY by 90 days, after the arrest of 22 suspects in connection with oil theft.
A statement by the Nigerian Navy on Wednesday, said that Operation DELTA SANITY was launched on 6 January 2024 to combat oil theft and related crimes “in line with the President’s directives to eradicate crude oil theft and ramp up Nigeria’s production for an improved economy.”
It explained that “OPERATION DELTA SANITY involved the deployment of personnel, platforms, helicopters and UAVs on aggressive surveillance and interdiction operations across the Niger Delta area.
“The successes were immediate and remarkable including the recovery of massive quantities of stolen products, the dismantling of Illegal Refining Sites, arrest of suspects and seizure of stolen products. Hence, the Operation was extended in April 2024 for 90 days.”
The statement also disclosed that the Commander Task Group, Rear Admiral Samson Bura, told newsmen at a briefing on Tuesday that an assessment of the achievements of the operation showed that “since its extension in April 2024, a total of 22 suspects have been arrested and about 122 Illegal Refinery Sites were deactivated.
“Furthermore, large quantities of crude oil and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil were seized and appropriately handled. Also, a total of 57 wooden boats, 45 dugout pits and 65 storage tanks were deactivated while 6 vessels were arrested. Additionally, several items and equipment used in the construction of illegal refineries were seized.”
The Navy expressed confidence that the achievements and successes of Op DELTA SANITY underscore the need for the operation to be extended, hence the approval by Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla, for the extension of the operation for a further 90 days effective 10 July 2024.
Representing the Chief of the Naval Staff, the Chief of Training and Operations, Rear Admiral Olusegun Ferreira, announced the extension on Wednesday, 10 July 2024, onboard the Nigerian Navy Ship OKPABANA at Onne, Rivers State.
