The Nigerian Navy has announced the arrest of 215 suspected oil thieves and the seizure of 26 vessels involved in illegal oil activities since the beginning of 2024.

Rear Admiral Ibrahim Dewu, Chief of Policy and Plans (Navy), disclosed this on Monday during a press briefing in Abuja to mark the upcoming 69th anniversary celebrations of the Nigerian Navy.

Dewu revealed that the arrests were made under the ongoing Operation Delta Sanity, a nationwide campaign aimed at curbing crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism.

“A total of 468 illegal refinery sites were deactivated this year. We seized an estimated 6.5 million litres of stolen crude oil and about seven million litres of illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO),” he said.

Additional figures released include the destruction of 361 wooden boats, 1,107 dugout pits, and 279 storage tanks, all used for storing or processing illegally obtained crude oil.

From January 2024 to date, the Navy also destroyed 103 illegal refinery sites and arrested 34 suspects connected to crude oil theft. Dewu noted that 39 wooden boats and one vessel were also confiscated during these operations.

“In the same period, approximately 773,000 litres of crude oil and 150,000 litres of refined petroleum products have been recovered,” he added.

According to Dewu, these intensified efforts are yielding tangible results, contributing significantly to improvements in Nigeria’s oil production capacity.

“All these efforts align with the directive of the President and Commander-in-Chief to eradicate crude oil theft and ramp up oil production and exports,” he stated.

Navy Week to Showcase Achievements

Rear Admiral Dewu also highlighted activities scheduled to commemorate the Nigerian Navy’s 69th Anniversary, popularly known as Navy Week, which will take place from May 23 to June 1.

He noted that the celebration offers an opportunity to showcase the Navy’s performance and ongoing reforms.

“The Nigerian Navy has evolved from a modest coastal force to a major maritime player in the Gulf of Guinea and the Sub-Saharan region,” Dewu said.

He emphasized the importance of maritime security and explained that the Navy maintains constant surveillance through its Maritime Domain Awareness facilities, including the Falcon Eye and Regional Maritime Awareness Capacity Systems.

“These systems enable early detection and rapid response to maritime incidents, contributing to Nigeria’s continued zero-piracy status, according to the International Maritime Bureau,” he said.

The Navy, Dewu added, remains committed to maintaining safety in Nigeria’s waters and ensuring regional stability throughout the Gulf of Guinea.