Society
Chief Of Naval Staff, Ogalla Says “Operation Delta Sanity” Continues
to eradicate crude oil theft and ramp up Nigeria’s production
On 6 January 2024, the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral EI Ogalla launched Operation DELTA SANITY to combat Crude Oil Theft.
This was in line with the President and Commander-in-Chief’s directive to eradicate crude oil theft and ramp up Nigeria’s production for an improved economy.
Accordingly, Operation DELTA SANITY was conceptualised as a major anti-crude oil theft operation, the Nigerian Navy personnel, platforms, helicopters and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles were deployed on aggressive surveillance and interdiction operations across the Niger Delta area.
Additionally, commands, units and bases were directed to conduct both Kinetic and non-Kinetic operations to stem the tide of maritime criminalities.
The operation has denied oil thieves and vandals across various parts of the Niger Delta, freedom of action.
From Bayelsa to Ondo to Rivers to Akwa Ibom States, and beyond, with the recovery of massive quantities of stolen products, the dismantling of Illegal Refining Sites, arrest of suspects, seizure of stolen products has underscored the resolve of the Nigerian Navy to stamp out crude oil theft. Cumulatively, Operation DELTA SANITY has recorded successes as follows: Seized Wooden Boats – 95, Deactivated storage tanks Refining Ovens – 119, Deactivated Dugout Pits – 447, Deactivated Illegal Refining Sites – 120, Seized Fibre Boats – 13, Seized Vehicles – 9, Arrested Suspects – 74, Arrested Vessels – 14.
LThe initial duration of the operation was 90 days, but on Thursday 25 April 2024, at the Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER in PortHarcourt the Chief of Naval Staff extended Operation DELTA SANITY for another 90 days.
