Navy Special Operation Clamps Down On Crude Oil Thieves, Illegal Refineries

By Ayodele Oni

After days of intensive operation in the Southern part of the country,  Nigerian Navy’s Operation “Delta Sanity” Units in Bayelsa, Delta and Imo States have clamped down on suspected crude oil thieves. This led to the arrest of six suspects.

According to Commodore Adams Aliu, the Director of Navy Information, in a press statement, in Abuja on Thursday, the operations underscore the Nigerian Navy’s resolve to rid the maritime domain of crude oil thieves and other nefarious elements as directed by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla.

He revealed that on Sunday, 20 April, 2025, Nigerian Navy Ship  apprehended four suspected pipeline vandals with tools used for vandalising pipelines around Renaissance Africa Energy Coy Pipeline at River-Kolo Creek, Bayelsa State.

“On Monday 21 April 2025, Forward Operating Base Escravos discovered and deactivated two illegal refinery sites with two refining ovens and 10 dugout pits laden with large amounts of stolen crude oil in Oteghele, Obodo Omadino Community, Warri South-West LGA, Delta State.

“On Monday 21 April 2025, Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH intercepted and impounded two vehicles laden with several sacks of illegally refined products in Olodo Community, Bayelsa State.

“On Tuesday 22 April 2025, Naval Outpost Onitsha, apprehended two suspects with a locally made rifle and 10 machetes.

“The suspects were in the process of attacking an oil facility in Oguikpele Community, Ogbaru LGA, Anambra State.

“Investigation revealed that these suspects were allegedly involved in the attack and killing of three Soldiers on 11 June 2024.

“On Tuesday 22 April 2025, Nigerian Navy Ship Delta discovered and deactivated two illegal refinery sites with none dugout pits, several sacks and drums laden with large amounts of illegally refined AGO and stolen Crude Oil in Bernnet Island and Obodo Omadino Community, Warri SouthWest LGA, Delta State.

“In the three-day co-ordinated anti-crude oil theft operations, a total of six suspects were arrested while four Illegal Refinery Sites and nine dug out pits were deactivated and two vehicles were seized.”