From January to April 2024, the Nigerian Navy’s Eastern Naval Command (ENC) has successfully deactivated 60 illegal refinery sites in the Niger Delta region.
Rear Admiral Saheed Akinwande, the Flag Officer Commanding of the ENC, revealed that during this period, they confiscated and eliminated approximately 293,900 liters of illegally refined AGO.
Addressing journalists in Calabar, Rear Admiral Akinwande mentioned that they also recovered 412,000L of stolen crude oil.
The accomplishment was credited to Operation Delta Sanity, a mission initiated by the Chief of Naval Staff earlier in the year.
“Since its launch, Operation Delta Sanity has achieved significant milestones,” stated Rear Admiral Akinwande.
“These achievements include an increase in sea patrol time to around 1,752 hours and a combined patrol time of approximately 45,540 and 30 hours via boats and air assets respectively.”
He further added, “There have been comprehensive riverine patrol and clearance operations leading to the apprehension of multiple suspects, destruction of numerous wooden boats, and recovery of illegal bunkering equipment.”
The FOC highlighted the navy’s enhanced anti-smuggling endeavors, resulting in the interception of smuggled parboiled rice and petroleum products.
Explaining the impact of the navy’s stringent actions against illegal bunkering, Rear Admiral Akinwande noted, “There has been a 5.85% increase in crude oil production capacity from 1.55mbpd to 1.64mbpd, as confirmed by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission.”
He elaborated on the operational goals of OP Delta Sanity, emphasizing the mission’s focus on curtailing illegal oil bunkering, pipeline vandalism, and other illicit activities in the Niger Delta region.
“The operation has restricted the freedom of action for illegal bunkering syndicates, resulting in the dismantling of several illegal refining sites and the arrest of suspects and vessels,” he concluded.