Gom Mirian
Troops of Operation DELTA SANITY are said to have successfully thwarted crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region, denying oil thieves the staggering sum of N1,058 billion naira in just seven days.
The Director of Information for the Nigeria Navy, Rear Admiral AO Ayo-Vaughan, on Tuesday, revealed that the troops have been actively engaged in protecting the economic infrastructure of the country and combating illegal activities that pose a threat to national security and prosperity.
Ayo-Vaughan said during the period from January 29 to February 4, the troops confiscated approximately 4,036.7 barrels of crude oil valued at $473,009.589 (N591,498,491.04) and 270,600 litres of illegally refined AGO worth N157,562,542.57.
In addition to these significant seizures, the troops also arrested 40 wooden boats, 55 illegal refining ovens, 49 reservoirs, 27 dugout pits, and 19 deactivated IRS.
According to him, the Nigerian Navy has been deploying various platforms to conduct aggressive patrols in the maritime environment, resulting in the discovery and dismantling of illegal refining sites, metal storage tanks, ovens, wooden boats, dugout pits, fibre boats, and pumping machines. Stating, “The operations have been widespread, with interceptions and arrests made in areas such as Rivers State, Bayelsa State, Nembe, and Southern Ijaw LGA.”
Rear Admiral AYO-VAUGHAN emphasized the significant impact of these operations, stating that the troops have effectively denied oil thieves access to 1,277.9 barrels of suspected stolen crude oil and 19,600 litres of illegally refined AGO, amounting to N151,774,256.32.
“The successful efforts of the troops have not only prevented substantial financial losses but have also disrupted the activities of criminal elements engaged in illegal oil bunkering and theft,” he add
