In a sustained demonstration of its unwavering commitment to securing Nigeria’s maritime domain and eradicating crude oil theft (COT), the Nigerian Navy has recorded significant successes under Operation DELTA SANITY II throughout February 2025.
According to a statement released by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, these achievements reinforce the Navy’s determination to curb illicit activities in Nigeria’s waterways. The operation, which commenced on December 30, 2024, has continued to yield remarkable results, dismantling illegal refinery sites and intercepting smuggled petroleum products.
Key Seizures and Operations recorded in February 2025 are as follows
February 1: A wooden boat carrying 19 drums of 250 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) intended for smuggling to Cameroon was intercepted around Effiat Creek, Akwa Ibom State.
February 5: Another wooden boat laden with 14 drums of 250 litres of PMS was seized around Ebughu Creek, Akwa Ibom State.
February 9: A fibre boat containing approximately 1,000 litres of stolen crude oil was intercepted near Buguma and Tuma in Rivers State. On the same day, a large wooden boat carrying around 5,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil was seized in the Opotumbi area of Rivers State.
February 11: A fibre boat with about 1,300 litres of stolen crude oil was confiscated around Buguma and Tuma, Rivers State.
February 12: A major illegal refinery site was discovered and dismantled in the Isaka, Ogajama area of Rivers State. The site contained:
Five cooking tanks
Four metal storage tanks
Six reservoirs
Fifteen dugout pits with 1,500 litres of stolen crude oil
1,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO)
Additionally, on the same day, another illegal refinery site was uncovered at Clough Creek, Ekeremor Local Government Area, Bayelsa State. Recovered at the site were:
Three refining ovens
Three receiving units
Two wooden boats
One dugout pit with over 30,000 litres of stolen crude oil
February 13: A wooden boat transporting 1,400 litres of illegally refined AGO in 44 jerry cans was seized in Ese-Odo Local Government Area, Ondo State.
February 15: Two illegal refinery sites were dismantled in Otugbene, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, containing:
1,000 litres of illegally refined AGO
4,000 litres of stolen crude oil
February 16: Four active illegal refinery sites were discovered in Obodo Omadino, Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State. The sites contained:
Four ovens
Ten dugout pits
One storage tank
13 sacks of stolen crude oil
Two drums of stolen crude oil
47 polythene sacks of illegally refined AGO
Total seizures: 2,500 litres of stolen crude oil and 2,700 litres of illegally refined AGO
February 17: Two suspected pipeline vandals were arrested in Rivers State along Well 17T Flowline. They were caught with two saws used in cutting the flowline and a wooden boat.
February 18:
Three fibre boats loaded with illegally refined AGO in 137 jerry cans were seized at Ugbonla waterside, Ilaje Local Government Area, Ondo State.
Two illegal refinery sites containing 22,000 litres of stolen crude oil were deactivated at Ojumole Riverine Community, Ilaje Local Government Area, Ondo State.
February 19: Several illegal refinery sites were dismantled in Egbema West, Rivers State, with the following seizures:
70 refining ovens
40 reservoirs
50 dugout pits
50,000 litres of stolen crude oil
5,000 litres of illegally refined AGO
February 26: Another illegal refinery site was discovered at Clough Creek, Ekeremor Local Government Area, Bayelsa State. It contained:
Three refining ovens
Three receiving units
Three dugout pits with over 12,000 litres of stolen crude oil
Since its launch on December 30, 2024, Operation DELTA SANITY II has consistently disrupted illegal oil activities, significantly contributing to Nigeria’s increasing crude oil production. The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, recently confirmed that Nigeria’s daily crude oil output has risen to 1.75 million barrels per day, attributing this positive development to the Navy’s relentless efforts.
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to eradicating maritime crimes and ensuring the protection of Nigeria’s territorial waters. He assured that the Navy will sustain its aggressive operations against crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and illegal refinery activities.
As Operation DELTA SANITY II progresses, the Nigerian Navy remains resolute in its mission to curb illegal activities in Nigeria’s maritime domain, safeguard national resources, and boost the country’s economic stability.
