The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s maritime assets and supporting economic stability by intensifying efforts against crude oil theft and illegal refining.
This renewed drive aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to boost national crude oil output, and it’s already yielding significant results under the ongoing Operation DELTA SANITY II.
According to a press statement released by Nigerian Navy spokesperson, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, the Navy’s anti-crude oil theft operations across the South-South region in March 2025 led to the seizure of over 286,500 litres of stolen crude oil and 47,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
Below is a timeline of major interceptions and discoveries made throughout the month:
March 7: At Oteghele, Warri (Delta State), a large illegal refinery was dismantled. The site held 5,500 litres of stolen crude oil, 2,000 litres of AGO, and various refining equipment.
March 8: A wooden boat carrying 40,000 litres of crude oil was seized near Okrika/Ogajama (Rivers State).
March 9: The Navy intercepted a vessel, MFT Olokun VIII (IMO No: 8778275), at Saint Nicholas River (Bayelsa State), carrying illegal arms and ammunition. Two suspects were arrested.
March 10: Three illegal refinery sites were destroyed in Obodo Omadino (Delta State), containing over 5,600 litres of crude and refined products.
March 13: In Ohaji/Egbema West (Rivers State), 8 refinery sites with 55 ovens and 12 reservoirs were shut down, seizing 55,000 litres of stolen crude oil and 4,000 litres of AGO.
March 14: Two boats with over 5,000 litres of stolen crude were confiscated along Dodo River, Ekeremor (Bayelsa State).
March 17: A fibre boat with 1,000 litres of stolen crude was seized at Bille/Krakrama (Rivers State); later that day, three more refineries were dismantled in Obodo Omadino.
March 20: Two wooden boats siphoning crude from a wellhead were caught in Clough Creek and Dodo River (Bayelsa State).
March 23–24: Additional illegal sites were dismantled in Delta and Rivers States, yielding over 5,000 litres of stolen and refined products.
March 25: A large wooden boat carrying 100,000 litres of crude oil was seized near Egbessan oilfield, Ilaje (Ondo State).
March 26: A boat with 30,000 litres of refined petrol was seized at Okirika (Rivers State).
March 27: Massive raids across Ndoni, Ogba, Ohaji, and Egbema West uncovered 8 refinery sites, 4 vandalized wellheads, and over 110,000 litres of stolen products. A separate storage site was uncovered at Bigimi, Ilaje (Ondo State).
March 28–31: Final week operations in Delta and Bayelsa States led to the deactivation of more illegal refining sites and the arrest of suspects, with nearly 45,000 litres of stolen crude and AGO confiscated.
Vice Admiral Ogalla commended the Navy’s relentless pursuit of economic saboteurs, pledging continued support for national development through maritime security.
Photo Credit: Google
