Nigerian Navy Records Major Breakthroughs in Fight Against Oil Theft in July 2025
In a resounding demonstration of its commitment to maritime security, the Nigerian Navy achieved significant milestones in July 2025 under the revitalized Operation DELTA SANITY, launched in December 2024. The operation, aimed at curbing crude oil theft and illegal refining activities, led to the deactivation of over 71 illegal refinery sites across the Niger Delta region.
Throughout the month, the Navy conducted a series of targeted operations. On 4 July, six illegal refinery sites were dismantled in Ogba, Egbema, and Ndoni communities in Rivers State. These sites contained 40 dugout pits with 66,000 litres of suspected crude oil, 40 ovens, and 30 reservoirs with 40,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
On 12 July, one illegal refinery site with five dugout pits containing 2,300 litres of stolen crude oil was deactivated at Otegele, Delta State. On 14 July, three suspected smugglers were arrested in Akwa Ibom State in a wooden boat carrying 10 drums (2,500 litres) of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) intended for smuggling into Cameroon. The suspects and products were handed over to relevant authorities.
Also on 14 July, an underground reservoir with connected pipes, dugout pits, and buckets containing 7,000 litres of crude oil was discovered and deactivated around Obodo Omadino, Warri South West, Delta State. That same day, another wooden boat with 10 drums of PMS was seized and three suspected smugglers arrested along the Agbani axis in Akwa Ibom State.
On 16 July, an underground reservoir with pipes and 12 sacks containing 9,500 litres of suspected stolen crude oil was seized in Peres Community, Warri South West. On 19 July, one illegal refinery site and nine dugout pits with 4,200 litres of crude oil were deactivated around Otegele in Obodo Omadino.
On 21 July, several dugout pits, a pumping machine, and an underground reservoir with 10 sacks containing 10,000 litres of suspected crude oil were discovered and seized at Oteghele in Amadino community. On 22 July, two illegal refinery sites were deactivated at Biseni Community, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. These sites held 200,000 litres of stolen crude oil, one pumping machine, 2,000 litres of illegally refined AGO and DPK, and a network of siphoning equipment.
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On 23 July, a follow-up operation led to the discovery and deactivation of seven metal ovens, six storage pits, and a large pond containing over 250,000 litres of stolen crude oil in Biseni Community. Also on 23 July, an illegal refinery site with 300 litres of crude oil, several drums, three dugout pits, and two reservoirs was deactivated along Isonogbene and Otuogbene in Akassa, Bayelsa State.
On the same day, two active illegal refinery sites, eight dugout pits with 2,500 litres of crude oil, and 10 polythene sacks with 3,000 litres of illegally refined AGO were deactivated in Obodo Omadino. An abandoned illegal refinery site with one oven and five dugout pits containing 13,000 litres of crude oil was also discovered in Ugbokodo Creek and Christian Village, Warri South.
On 25 July, seven dugout pits, one drum, and five sacks with 15,000 litres of suspected crude oil were deactivated at Bennet Island in Bokodo Community. On 27 July, two active illegal refinery sites, 17 dugout pits with 2,650 litres of crude oil, and 16 polythene sacks with 1,200 litres of AGO were deactivated at Obodo Omadino. On 28 July, one active illegal refinery site with tanks containing 20,000 litres of crude oil and an underground reservoir connected with hoses was deactivated at Oteghele Community in Omadino.
In total, over 71 illegal refinery sites with 120 dugout pits were deactivated. Oil thieves were denied access to approximately 411,400 litres of crude oil, 87,825 litres of illegally refined AGO, 72,000 litres of DPK, and 21,900 litres of PMS. These successes underscore the resilience of the Nigerian Navy under the leadership of Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla in its mission to eradicate crude oil theft and improve Nigeria’s oil production. The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) recently confirmed that Nigeria’s oil production has exceeded 1.8 million barrels per day.
Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, Spokesperson of the Nigerian Navy, stated:
“These achievements reflect the Navy’s unwavering dedication to national security and economic stability. We remain committed to ensuring maritime safety and deterring illicit activities across Nigeria’s waters.”
The Nigerian Navy’s July 2025 operations mark a pivotal moment in the fight against oil theft, showcasing strategic enforcement and national resolve.
By PRNigeria
