The Nigerian Navy’s Operation Delta Sanity II made significant strides in combating oil theft across the Niger Delta, recovering over 400,000 litres of stolen crude oil in March 2025.
In addition to this impressive haul, the Navy dismantled more than 30 illegal refinery sites and arrested several individuals tied to oil bunkering and arms smuggling.
The spokesperson for the Nigerian Navy, Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, stated on Friday that the operation, which spanned Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Ondo States, delivered a heavy blow to the illicit oil industry that has been destabilizing Nigeria’s economy and environment.
A particularly notable operation occurred on March 25, when a large wooden boat carrying approximately 100,000 litres of crude oil was intercepted near the Egbessan oilfield in Ilaje Local Government Area, Ondo State.
“On Sunday 9 March 2025, a seagoing vessel, MFT Olokun VIII with IMO Registration N0: 8778275 was arrested around Saint Nicholas River in Bayelsa State with illegal arms and ammunition onboard. The arms included 1 G3 Rifle, 1 pump action gun, 20 x rounds of 7.62/51mm ammunition and 7 x live cartridges. Two suspects linked to the illegal firearms were also arrested and will face prosecution.
“On Monday 10 March 2025, three Illegal Refinery Sites, 3 ovens, 7 dugout pits, 8 sacks with 3,700 litres of crude oil, 23 polythene sacks with 1,900 litres of illegally refined AGO were discovered and deactivated around Obodo Omadino in Warri, South West Local Government Area, Delta State,” the statement added.
The operation continued on March 27, when Navy personnel uncovered a massive illegal refinery operation in Rivers State, covering Ndoni, Ogba, Ohaji, and Egbema West.
The bust revealed eight illegal refinery sites, four vandalized wellheads, 40 ovens, 30 reservoirs, and 50 dugout pits, all containing over 110,000 litres of various illegally refined products, including AGO, kerosene, and crude oil.
On March 9, a seagoing vessel, MFT Olokun VIII, was apprehended near the Saint Nicholas River in Bayelsa State. The vessel was found to be carrying illegal arms, including a G3 Rifle, a pump-action gun, 20 rounds of 7.62/51mm ammunition, and 7 live cartridges. Two suspects associated with the firearms were arrested and are set to face prosecution.
Further efforts on March 10 in Warri, Delta State, led to the discovery of three illegal refinery sites, three ovens, seven dugout pits, eight sacks containing 3,700 litres of crude oil, and 23 sacks with 1,900 litres of illegally refined AGO.
Between March 7 and 31, Navy forces deactivated several illicit refining camps across the region, seizing hundreds of thousands of litres of crude oil and dismantling numerous refining equipment.
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, expressed the Navy’s unwavering commitment to securing Nigeria’s oil-rich waterways in support of the national economy.
He reiterated that the successes of Operation Delta Sanity II are in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to combat oil theft, which remains a major drain on national revenue.
“The Nigerian Navy will continue to intensify its operations in support of Nigeria’s economic activities,” Ogalla stated.
