The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, has announced the continuation of Operation DELTA SANITY for an additional 90 days.
According to a statement from the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Adams-Aliu, the inception of this operation dates back to January 6, 2024, when the CNS initiated it to combat the persistent issue of crude oil theft. This strategic move aligns with the directive of the President and Commander-in-Chief to eradicate such illicit activities and bolster Nigeria’s oil production for economic enhancement.
Operation DELTA SANITY was conceived as a robust anti-crude oil theft campaign, deploying Nigerian Navy personnel, platforms, helicopters, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for intensive surveillance and interdiction missions across the vast expanse of the Niger Delta region. In a comprehensive approach, commands, units, and bases were tasked with executing both Kinetic and non-Kinetic operations to curb maritime criminalities effectively.
The operation has significantly impeded the activities of oil thieves and vandals throughout various parts of the Niger Delta, from Bayelsa to Ondo to Rivers to Akwa Ibom States, and beyond. Noteworthy achievements include the recovery of substantial amounts of stolen crude oil and refined products, the dismantling of numerous illegal refining sites, and the apprehension of multiple suspects involved in illicit activities.
Cumulatively, Operation DELTA SANITY has yielded remarkable successes:
– Recovery of large quantities of stolen crude oil and refined products.
– Seizure of 95 wooden boats used for illegal activities.
– Deactivation of 119 storage tanks and refining ovens involved in illicit refining operations.
– Closure of 447 dugout pits utilized for illegal oil extraction.
– Shutdown of 120 illegal refining sites.
– Confiscation of 13 fiber boats used in unlawful activities.
– Seizure of 9 vehicles linked to criminal operations.
– Arrest of 74 suspects engaged in illicit activities.
– Apprehension of 14 vessels involved in unlawful operations.
Vice Admiral Ogalla expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for his steadfast support to the Armed Forces, specifically the Nigerian Navy. He also commended the unwavering dedication and sacrifice of all officers and personnel of the Nigerian Navy, who tirelessly uphold the mandate of Operation DELTA SANITY amidst challenging circumstances.
