The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, has announced the extension of the Nigerian Navy’s Operation Delta Sanity by 90 days. Launched on January 6, 2024, the operation aims to combat oil theft and related crimes in alignment with the President’s directive to eradicate crude oil theft and boost Nigeria’s oil production for economic improvement.
Operation Delta Sanity has seen the deployment of personnel, platforms, helicopters, and UAVs for aggressive surveillance and interdiction operations across the Niger Delta. The initiative has achieved significant successes, including the recovery of stolen products, dismantling of illegal refining sites, arrests of suspects, and seizures of stolen goods. Due to these achievements, the operation was previously extended in April 2024 for another 90 days.
During a press briefing on July 9, 2024, the Commander of the Task Group, Rear Admiral Samson Bura, reported that since the April extension, 22 suspects have been arrested, and about 122 illegal refinery sites were deactivated. Additionally, large quantities of crude oil and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil were seized. The Navy also deactivated 57 wooden boats, 45 dugout pits, and 65 storage tanks while arresting six vessels. Several items and equipment used in illegal refinery operations were also seized.
Given these ongoing successes, Vice Admiral Ogalla approved the extension of Operation Delta Sanity for another 90 days, starting from July 10, 2024. The announcement was made onboard the Nigerian Navy Ship Okpabana in Onne, Rivers State, by the Chief of Training and Operations, Rear Admiral Olusegun Ferreira, representing the Chief of the Naval Staff.
Vice Admiral Ogalla expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support to the Armed Forces, particularly the Nigerian Navy.
The public is encouraged to be informed of this development, as the Navy continues its efforts to secure Nigeria’s maritime domain and combat illegal activities effectively.
