Navy Arrests 215 for Oil Theft, Dismantles 468 Illegal Refineries in 2024
The Nigerian Navy has arrested 215 suspects and impounded 26 vessels in connection with crude oil theft and illegal refining operations across the country in 2024, Rear Admiral Ibrahim Dewu announced on Monday.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja as part of activities marking the Navy’s 69th anniversary, Dewu, who is the Chief of Policy and Plans, said the operations were conducted under Operation Delta Sanity, the Navy’s ongoing campaign against maritime crimes.
According to Dewu, the Navy dismantled 468 illegal refinery sites and confiscated an estimated 6.5 million litres of stolen crude oil and seven million litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
“In addition, we deactivated 361 wooden boats, 1,107 dugout pits, and 279 storage tanks used in these illicit activities,” he said.
Dewu noted that between January and May, 103 new illegal refineries were destroyed, and 34 individuals directly linked to crude oil theft were arrested.
“Also seized were 39 wooden boats and one ship involved in the illicit trade. We recovered about 773,000 litres of crude oil and 150,000 litres of refined products during the same period,” he added.
He emphasised that the results reflect a strategic push to align with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to end crude oil theft and improve the country’s production and export capacity.
The Navy’s anniversary celebrations, tagged Navy Week, will run from May 23 to June 1. Dewu said the event offers an opportunity to showcase the service’s operational gains and modernization efforts.
Highlighting operational capacity, he said the Navy has maintained “round-the-clock” surveillance of Nigeria’s maritime domain up to the Exclusive Economic Zone through advanced monitoring systems — Falcon Eye and the Regional Maritime Awareness Capacity.
“These platforms provide early warning capabilities, ensuring rapid response to security threats and contributing to Nigeria’s zero-piracy rating in recent International Maritime Bureau reports,” Dewu stated.
He added that the Navy continues to extend its influence beyond Nigerian waters, working to secure the wider Gulf of Guinea against piracy and other maritime crimes.
NAN