• Arrests 22 suspected oil thieves, deactivates 122 illegal refineries
Determined to continue the onslaught against oil theft, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, has approved extension of the Nigerian Navy’s Operation Delta Sanity by 90 days.
Delta Sanity was launched on January 6, 2024, to combat oil theft and related crimes.
This was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to eradicate crude oil theft and ramp up Nigeria’s production for an improved economy.
The operation involved the deployment of personnel, platforms, helicopters and UAVs on aggressive surveillance and interdiction operations across the Niger Delta area.
A total of 22 suspects have been arrested and about 122 illegal refinery sites were deactivated during the operation.
In a statement by the Navy’s Director of Information, Commodore Aiwuyor Augustine Adams-Aliu, yesterday, the extension was based on recorded successes.
These, he said, include the recovery of massive quantities of stolen products, the dismantling of illegal refining sites, arrest of suspects and seizure of stolen products.
He said: “Large quantities of crude oil and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil were seized and appropriately handled. Also, 57 wooden boats, 45 dugout pits and 65 storage tanks were deactivated while six vessels were impounded.”
“Additionally, several items and equipment used in the construction of illegal refineries were seized.
“The achievements and successes of the operation underscore the need for it to be extended. Hence the Chief of the Naval Staff approved the extension for a further 90 days, effective from July 10.
“The announcement was made on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, onboard Nigerian Navy Ship Okpabana, at Onne, Rivers State by the Chief of Training and Operations, Rear Admiral Olusegun Ferreira, who represented the Chief of the Naval Staff.”
The post Oil theft: Navy extends Operation Delta Sanity appeared first on Guardian Nigeria News.
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