The Nigerian Navy has apprehended six individuals suspected of involvement in oil theft in Bayelsa State. The arrests were made during a series of operations targeting illegal refining activities in the region.
According to a statement released on Wednesday by the Navy’s spokesperson, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, the suspects were caught with 109 sacks of illegally refined petroleum products, along with four fibre boats and two wooden boats. These items were seized along the Ogboinbiri-Kasama-Azama-Isoni waterways in Bayelsa State.
The Navy’s operations, conducted under the auspices of Operation Delta Sanity between August 29 and September 2, 2024, also led to the destruction of several illegal refining sites across the Niger Delta.
Detailing the operations, Adams-Aliu said, “On 29 August, seven large Cotonou boats and two fibre boats operated by heavily armed oil thieves were seized at an illegal loading point around the Botokiri axis of Nembe Local Government Area. On 31 August, six suspects were arrested with 109 sacks of illegally refined petroleum products, along with four fibre boats and two wooden boats, in the Ogboinbiri-Kasama-Azama-Isoni area.”
Further seizures were made on September 1, including two wooden boats and 328 sacks of illegally refined Automated Gas Oil at the Otuogori community riverbank in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. On September 2, an additional 35 sacks of illegally refined Automated Gas Oil were confiscated from a wooden boat in the Gbaraun area of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
Adams-Aliu emphasized that these operations are part of the Navy’s ongoing efforts to combat crude oil theft and illegal refining, which are major challenges in Nigeria’s maritime environment. “These successes indicate the effectiveness of Operation Delta Sanity and the resolve of the Nigerian Navy to sustain efforts to rid Nigeria’s maritime environment of the menace of crude oil theft and enhance crude oil production,” he said.
By Ebubedike Ochu
