Oil Theft: Our Operations Boosting Crude Oil Production, Says Nigerian Navy

Oil Theft: Our Operations Boosting Crude Oil Production, Says Nigerian Navy

The Nigerian Navy has attributed its successes in the fight against crude oil theft to Operation Delta Sanity, which has contributed to a significant increase in Nigeria’s crude oil production.

Commodore Aiwiyor Adams-Aliu, the Navy’s Director of Information, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to Adams-Aliu, the operation has destroyed 23 illegal refinery sites, 30 ovens, and 26 reservoirs in October alone.

On October 8, three illegal refinery sites and 15 ovens were destroyed around Bakana River, Rivers State.

This was followed by the arrest of a suspect with a locally made pistol and 3 cases of ammunition, along with the discovery of three illegal refinery sites and 5 reservoirs in Bayelsa State on October 9.

In addition to these successes, the Navy personnel also discovered five illegal refinery sites with 4 ovens and 3 reservoirs in Delta State on October 11. On October 22, 70,000 liters of stolen crude oil were seized around Asamatoro community in Rivers State.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) Group CEO, Meleye Kyari, recently announced that oil production has risen to 1.8 million barrels per day in October 2024.

This increase is attributed to the Navy’s efforts to curb crude oil theft.

Adams-Aliu assured that the Nigerian Navy remains committed to eradicating crude oil theft and enhancing national crude oil production, in line with the President and Commander-in-Chief’s directive.