In 2024, the Nigerian Navy claims to have captured 26 vessels and no fewer than 215 accused oil thieves.
Additionally, it stated that 468 illicit refinery installations were shut during that time under Operation Delta Sanity’s auspices.
Rear Adm. Ibrahim Dewu, the Navy’s Chief of Policy and Plans, announced this at a press conference on Monday in Abuja regarding the events planned to mark the Navy’s 69th anniversary.
According to Dewu, seven million liters of illegally refined Automated Gas Oil and an estimated 6.5 million liters of stolen crude oil were apprehended and treated properly.
He also mentioned the deactivation of 279 storage tanks, 1,107 dugout trenches, and 361 wooden boats.
He claims that since January of this year, 34 persons connected to the theft of crude oil have been taken into custody and that over 103 illegal refinery sites have been dismantled.
Additionally, one ship and 39 wooden boats implicated in this threat were apprehended. This year, almost 150,000 liters of refined products and 773,000 liters of crude oil have also been recovered.
“In keeping with the President and Commander-in-Chief’s directive to eradicate crude oil theft in order to ramp up Nigeria’s oil production and exports, all of these efforts have had a positive impact on Nigeria’s crude oil production,” he stated.
Dewu said the anniversary celebration, otherwise often referred to as ‘Navy Week, was scheduled to hold from May 23 to June 1.
He said the Nigerian navy had grown from its humble beginnings with a handful of coastal boats into a force to be reckoned with, not only in the West African Sub-region, but also in the Gulf of Guinea and indeed the entire sub-Saharan Africa.
According to him, the Navy week also serves as an opportunity to present a scorecard of the navy’s performance in the service of our dear nation.
“The Nigerian Navy has continued to maintain round-the-clock situational awareness of Nigeria’s maritime domain extending to the limits of the Exclusive Economic Zone through our Maritime Domain Awareness Facilities.
“These facilities comprise the Falcon Eye and Regional Maritime Awareness Capacity Systems.
“In Nigeria’s maritime environment, both methods facilitate early identification and prompt response to events.
Nigeria’s zero-piracy rating from the International Maritime Bureau has been preserved as a result of this.
He said, “The Nigerian Navy has taken the initiative to ensure that the entire Gulf of Guinea is free of maritime crimes, including piracy, in furtherance of this.” Source=Punch news
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