The Nigerian Navy has continued its efforts under Operation DELTA SANITY, initiated in January 2024 by the Chief Of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla to combat crude oil theft and boost oil production.
This operation has led to the deployment of additional personnel, platforms, helicopters, and UAVs for surveillance and interdiction across the Niger Delta. Key achievements in August 2024 include:
August 9th: Destruction of an illegal refinery site, 5 metal drums, and several pipes at Dumbe camp and Atuo area, Bayelsa State.
12 August: Destruction of an illegal refinery site in Ataba Community, Rivers State.
14 August: Destruction of 3 illegal refinery sites, 5 refining ovens, 3 wooden boats, and recovery of large quantities of illegally refined gas oil in Brass, Bassambari, and Nembe, Bayelsa State.
17 August: Destruction of 4 wooden boats and a speed boat used for smuggling along Odioma/Botokiri Creek, Bayelsa State.
17 August: Destruction of a massive refinery site with a 2 million liters per day capacity along the Ogoloma-Bakana waterways, Rivers State.
19 August: Destruction of an illegal refinery site with storage tanks, a pumping machine, and a wooden boat carrying stolen crude oil in Awoye community, Ondo State.
21 August: Destruction of an illegal refinery site, 2 wooden boats, 5 dug-out pits, and numerous drums of stolen crude oil in Otumara Creek, Delta State.
As a result, national crude oil production reached 1.658 million barrels per day by 14 August 2024, highlighting the success of the operation. The Nigerian Navy remains committed to eradicating crude oil theft and enhancing national oil production as directed by the President.
