Nigerian Navy’s Diary Of Wins Against Crude Oil Theft In March 2025

In a determined push against crude oil theft and illegal refining activities, the Nigerian Navy has recorded significant victories throughout March 2025 under its ongoing Operation DELTA SANITY II. The month-long operation, spearheaded by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, has dealt heavy blows to oil thieves and illegal refiners across the Niger Delta.

The operation yielded a string of successes, including the discovery and destruction of illegal refinery sites, seizure of stolen crude and illegally refined petroleum products, and arrests of suspected criminals.

Key highlights from the month include:

• March 7: An illegal refinery site in Obodo Omadino, Warri South West, Delta State, was deactivated. The site contained 5,500 litres of stolen crude oil, 2,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and other equipment used in illegal refining.
• March 8: A large wooden boat loaded with 40,000 litres of crude oil was intercepted around Okrika and Ogajama in Rivers State.
• March 9: The Navy arrested the vessel MFT Olokun VIII along Saint Nicholas River, Bayelsa State, with illegal arms including a G3 rifle, a pump-action gun, and live ammunition. Two suspects were apprehended.
• March 10 & 17: Multiple illegal refinery sites and storage pits were uncovered in Warri South West, with thousands of litres of crude oil and refined AGO seized.
• March 13: A massive bust in Ohaji/Egbema West, Rivers State, led to the seizure of 55,000 litres of stolen crude oil and 4,000 litres of AGO from eight illegal sites.
• March 14 to 31: A series of coordinated raids in Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, and Ondo States resulted in the deactivation of over 20 illegal refinery sites. Notably, on March 25, a large wooden boat carrying approximately 100,000 litres of crude oil was seized at the Egbesan oilfield in Ilaje LGA, Ondo State.
• March 27: One of the biggest finds was a suspected cultist/kidnappers’ camp in Rivers State, which included four vandalised wellheads and sites containing 70,000 litres of crude oil, 25,000 litres of AGO, and 15,000 litres of kerosene.
• March 31: The operation concluded the month with the deactivation of an extensive refining site in the Biseni forest, Bayelsa, seizing 30,000 litres of crude oil and 5,000 litres of AGO.

In total, the Navy seized hundreds of thousands of litres of stolen crude oil and refined petroleum products, dismantled dozens of illegal operations, and arrested suspects involved in these crimes.

Vice Admiral Ogalla reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s economic stability by safeguarding the nation’s oil infrastructure and ensuring increased crude oil production, in line with directives from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, Director of Information, urged the public to remain vigilant and support ongoing efforts by disseminating this progress as part of a broader campaign against economic sabotage.