Nigerian Navy shuts illegal oil sites in Delta, recovers 11,200 litres of stolen crude as part of Operation Delta Sanity II to combat economic sabotage
Nigerian Navy shuts illegal oil sites as part of a renewed crackdown on crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, recovering 11,200 litres of stolen crude from the creeks of Delta State.
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Personnel from the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Escravos carried out the latest offensive under Operation Delta Sanity II, targeting economic sabotage and pipeline vandalism.
The operation led to the dismantling of six illegal refining sites** at Obodo Omadino in Warri South-West Local Government Area.
Speaking to journalists in Warri on Friday, Navy Captain Ikenna Okoloagu, Commanding Officer of FOB Escravos, stated that the success of the operation was driven by credible intelligence.
“These achievements align with the strategic directives of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, which emphasise sustained pressure on economic saboteurs,” Okoloagu said.
He added that the Navy recovered the stolen crude from 28 dugout pits and six polythene sacks, along with a pumping machine.
Breaking down the timeline, Captain Okoloagu said:
- On 2 October 2025, operatives dismantled three illegal sites, recovering 3,750 litres of stolen crude.
- On 4 October, two more sites were neutralised, yielding 1,450 litres.
- On 6 October, an additional two sites were taken down, with 6,000 litres recovered.
The Navy officer stressed that the efforts were in direct support of the Federal Government’s aim to boost daily crude oil output and safeguard national resources.
“This operation highlights the unwavering commitment of the Nigerian Navy to eradicating illegal refining infrastructure and protecting Nigeria’s vital oil assets,” Okoloagu said.
This development follows a previous raid on 1 August 2025, during which the Navy destroyed 10 illegal refining sites in the region.
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With Nigeria’s economy deeply reliant on oil revenues, continued success in such operations is seen as essential to restoring investor confidence and curbing revenue losses.
Source: Read more at punchng.com
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
