The Nigerian Navy has been at the forefront of the country’s efforts to combat crude oil theft, a menace that has plagued the nation for decades.
In 2024, the navy intensified its anti-crude oil theft operations, recording significant successes and dealing a major blow to the illicit trade.
Crude oil theft, also known as illegal oil bunkering, is a complex and organised crime that involves the illegal tapping of oil pipelines, hijacking of oil tankers, and smuggling of stolen crude oil to international markets.
The Nigerian Navy estimates that the country loses hundreds of millions of dollars annually to crude oil theft, with some reports suggesting that up to 200,000 barrels of crude oil are stolen daily.
To combat this menace, the Nigerian Navy has adopted a multi-faceted approach that involves surveillance, patrols and raids on suspected oil thieves.
The navy also conducts joint operations with sister services and other security agencies.
To give some zing to the onslaught against crude oil theft and other maritime crimes, the Nigerian Navy unveiled a significant initiative code-named Operation Delta Sanity.
The operation is a brainchild of the current Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, who has been leading the charge against oil thieves and other perpetrators.
Under Operation Delta Sanity, the Nigerian Navy has been conducting raids and patrols in the Niger Delta region, targeting oil thieves and their networks.
The operation has been highly successful, with several arrests and seizures of stolen oil and equipment.
One notable aspect of Operation Delta Sanity is its focus on collaboration and coordination with other security agencies and stakeholders.
The navy has been working closely with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Department of State Services (DSS), and other agencies to share intelligence and best practices in combating oil theft.
The extension of the operation for an additional 90 days, as announced by Ogalla, demonstrates the navy’s commitment to sustaining the momentum and building on the successes achieved so far.
Observers say the operation is a testament to the Nigerian Navy’s dedication to protecting the nation’s economic interests and ensuring the security of the maritime domain.
In 2024, the Nigerian Navy recorded several key successes in its anti-crude oil theft operations.
Some of the notable achievements which include the seizure of more than 20 vessels and barges involved in crude oil theft; arrest of more than 100 suspected oil thieves; destruction of numerous illegal oil refineries and bunkering sites and recovery of thousands of metric tonnes of stolen crude oil.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, said troops operations spiked the nation’s daily crude oil production to close to 2 million barrels per day, neutralised 78 criminals, apprehended 2,357 persons involved in crude oil theft and rescued 93 kidnapped hostages in the course of the year.
He said that troops also denied the oil thieves of 6.2 million litres of crude oil; 9.7 million litres of AGO, 95,595 litres of DPK and 156,527 litres of PMS.
He further revealed that troops recovered 538 assorted weapons, 13,198 assorted ammunition and destroyed 2,019 wooden boats as well as 2,612 illegal refining sites.
The success stories are impressive, transcending 2024.
Just recently, the Nigerian Navy, Forward Operation Base (FOB), Ibaka, Akwa Ibom, apprehended three persons over alleged oil theft in the state.
The Commanding Officer, Capt. Uche Aneke, said that the suspects were caught carrying 1,800 litres of stolen Premium Motor Spirit, also called petrol.
Aneke communicated this while handing over the suspects to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ibaka.
“Our personnel on routine patrol around Bendero and Uta Uyata General Area of Mbo, intercepted a wooden boat carrying about 1,800 litres of petrol.
“The product was carefully concealed under cargoes which included packs of soft drinks, biscuits, sachet water, casava flakes, among others.
“Their intention is to smuggle the product from Nigeria into the Republic of Cameroon.’’
He said that the navy, under Ogalla’s watch, was strongly committed to combating maritime crime and economic sabotage.
Aneke warned those involved in oil theft, smuggling and pipeline vandalism to desist forthwith.
“Nigeria’s waters and coastal areas are not for illegal activities,” he said.
The commanding officer said that the navy would continue to detect criminal elements within the FOB Ibaka operational area through the use of advanced surveillance and intelligence technology.
No doubt, Nigerian Navy’s synergy with sister agencies has continued to yield results.
Lately, troops of the Nigerian Army apprehended no fewer than 15 persons over suspected oil theft and illegal oil bunkering activities in the Niger Delta.
Lt.-Col. Danjuma Danjuma, the Spokesman, Nigerian Army, 6 Division, Port Harcourt, said that the operations were carried out in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers.
Danjuma said that the army apprehended 15 persons, dismantled 32 artisanal refineries and seized 14 boats during operations.
He further said that during the operations, conducted between Jan. 6 and June 12, the troops confiscated no fewer than 60,000 litres of various petroleum products
The spokesman said that the operations were part of a broader collaborative effort with other security agencies to combat oil theft in the Niger Delta region.
Danjuma said that the raid commenced in Bille, Degema Local Government Area, Rivers, where soldiers dismantled seven illegal refining sites, confiscated 20,000 litres of crude oil, and destroyed two boats.
“We also deactivated ten illegal refineries, several crude oil cooking pots, and receivers, and recovered about 19,000 litres of stolen petroleum products along the Imo River.
“In Odagwa, Etche, our troops intercepted three boats carrying about 12,000 litres of stolen crude oil and arrested three suspects in the process.
“Similar operations were carried out in Abiama, Asa, Obuzor, Okoloma, Ozaa, Ukwa, and Oyigbo.’’
He said that the soldiers advanced to Nkisa in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers, where they confiscated 1,600 litres of crude oil and 1,200 litres adulterated diesel.
Danjuma said that along Ndoni Road, the troops intercepted a Toyota van transporting an estimated 1,200 litres of stolen condensate.
The spokesman said that in Buguma, Asari-Toru, Rivers, the troops dismantled two illegal refineries, seized 1,500 litres of stolen crude oil, and apprehended five suspects.
“In Baberegbene, Southern Ijaw, Bayelsa, our soldiers dismantled an illegal artisanal refinery and intercepted a wooden boat carrying no fewer than 1,500 litres of stolen crude oil.
“Similarly, an illegal refining site containing an unquantified quantity of stolen petroleum products was deactivated in Emago-Kugbo and Oluasiri communities in Nembe, Bayelsa.
“The operations continued in Akwa Ibom and Delta, where troops maintained a strong presence and effectively denied economic saboteurs the liberty to operate,’’ he said.
Security watchers say there are some notable challenges and lessons learnt in the navy’s anti-crude oil theft operations.
They say key challenges include the vast and complex network of creeks and waterways in the Niger Delta region, which make it difficult to track and apprehend oil thieves as well as the lack of adequate funding, which hampers the navy’s ability to effectively patrol and monitor the region.
According to stakeholders, there is also the need for greater collaboration and coordination with other security agencies and stakeholders, including NNPC and DSS.
Security analysts hold that incessant confrontation between the Nigerian Navy and Tantita Security Services, a private security company that has been involved in various security operations in the Niger Delta region, could be counter-productive.
All in all, stakeholders are of the view that Nigerian Navy’s anti-crude oil theft operations in 2024 recorded significant feats and should be sustained to further demonstrate the navy’s commitment to securing the nation’s lifeblood.
