The Nigerian Navy has recorded a major breakthrough in its ongoing anti-crude oil theft campaign, Operation DELTA SANITY II, with the seizure of over 340,000 litres of stolen crude oil and the deactivation of at least 30 illegal refinery sites across the Niger Delta region in the month of March 2025.

According to a statement released by Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, Director of Information, the Navy also recovered large quantities of illegally refined petroleum products, arrested suspects, and uncovered illegal arms during operations in Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, and Ondo States.

Among the major highlights of the operation, on March 7, an illegal refinery site was discovered at Oteghele, Obodo Omadino in Warri, Delta State, with 5,500 litres of stolen crude and 2,000 litres of illegally refined AGO. On March 9, the Navy intercepted MFT Olokun VIII, a vessel with IMO number 8778275, carrying illegal arms and ammunition on the Saint Nicholas River in Bayelsa. Two suspects were arrested in connection with the illegal firearms.

On March 13, the largest haul was recorded at Ohaji/Egbema West in Rivers State, where eight illegal refinery sites and 55 ovens holding 55,000 litres of stolen crude and 4,000 litres of AGO were seized. On March 25, a massive wooden boat carrying 100,000 litres of crude oil was seized around Egbessan oilfield in Ilaje Local Government Area, Ondo State. Similarly, on March 27, a suspected cultist/kidnappers’ camp and four vandalized wellheads were uncovered alongside 70,000 litres of crude oil, 25,000 litres of AGO, and 15,000 litres of kerosene in Rivers State.

The operation concluded on March 31 with the deactivation of 12 refining ovens and two dugout pits containing 30,000 litres of crude oil and 5,000 litres of AGO in Tumburu and Biseni forest, Bayelsa State.

In total, the Nigerian Navy neutralized over 30 illegal refinery sites, seized more than 340,000 litres of crude oil, and confiscated a large cache of petroleum products, arms, and refining equipment.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, reiterated the Navy’s resolve to maintain aggressive patrols and operations to safeguard Nigeria’s oil infrastructure and boost crude oil output in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive.