Naval chief extends fight against crude oil thieves by 90 days

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, has granted a 90-day extension to the Nigerian Navy’s Operation Delta Sanity, aimed at combating oil theft and related crimes in the Niger Delta region.

The operation, launched on January 6, 2024, has achieved significant successes, including the recovery of stolen products, dismantling of illegal refining sites, and arrest of suspects.

According to Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, Director of Naval Information, in a statemeng on Wednesday, the operation has deployed personnel, platforms, helicopters, and UAVs for aggressive surveillance and interdiction operations. The Chief of Naval Staff, represented by Rear Admiral Olusegun Ferreira, announced the extension onboard Nigerian Navy Ship Okpabana at Onne, Rivers State.

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“The successes were immediate and remarkable, including the recovery of massive quantities of stolen products, the dismantling of Illegal Refining Sites, the arrest of suspects, and the seizure of stolen products,” the statement read.

Rear Admiral Samson Bura, Commander Task Group, reported that since the extension in April 2024, 22 suspects have been arrested, 122 Illegal Refinery Sites deactivated, 57 boats and 65 storage tanks seized, and large quantities of crude oil and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil recovered.

The operation’s achievements have led to the approval of a further 90-day extension, effective from July 10, 2024, to sustain the fight against oil thieves and illegal refining activities.

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