– Launches Operation Delta Sanity II
Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigerian Navy says it deactivated 468 illegal refineries, impounded 7million litres of Automotive Gasoline Oil, AGO and made significant strides in combatting oil theft and maritime crimes with the successful completion of Operation Delta Sanity I.
This is as the Nigerian Navy on Monday launched Operation Delta Sanity II, an enhanced phase of the operation aimed at further securing the nation’s maritime domain and increasing oil production.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony held at the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Pathfinder in Rivers State, Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, described the operation as critical to national economic growth and security.
Ogalla described Operation Delta Sanity II, as a revitalized maritime security initiative aimed at intensifying the fight against oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and other criminal activities in the Niger Delta region.
“The upgraded strategy under Operation Delta Sanity II will leverage advanced maritime domain awareness infrastructure, increased aerial surveillance using newly acquired air assets and drones, and strengthened intelligence gathering for enhanced situational awareness. This is to ensure an increased and sustained crude oil production to over two million barrels per day in line with the President’s directives.”
Ogalla noted that the first phase of Operation Delta Sanity, launched in January 2024, achieved remarkable milestones. “The operation recorded significant successes, including the arrest of numerous suspects, seizure of vessels involved in oil theft, and deactivation of several illegal refining sites. These efforts led to improved maritime security and increased crude oil production, with some oil companies reporting 100 percent terminal efficiency.”
Despite these achievements, the Chief of Naval Staff acknowledged the need for a revamped approach. “Re-jigging the operation is necessary to consolidate previous successes and ensure better results. We will also incorporate non-kinetic measures and strengthen collaboration with stakeholders under the Harmonized Standing Operating Procedure for Arrest, Detention, and Prosecution of Vessels and Persons,” he added.
Flagging off Operation Delta Sanity II, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, described oil theft and pipeline vandalism as existential threats to Nigeria’s economy, calling on the Nigerian Navy to intensify efforts to secure the nation’s oil infrastructure.
“The issue of pipeline vandalism and oil theft has become an existential problem for this country. Without decisive action, it threatens the survival of our economy. The Nigerian Navy, as an elite force, is the backbone of our efforts to secure these resources.”
Lokpobiri lauded the Navy for its successes over the past year, noting that their efforts have contributed to an 80% increase in daily oil production, from 1 million barrels in August 2023 to 1.8 million barrels currently.
“The Navy and other security agencies have recorded remarkable achievements in restoring confidence in our oil production. Their role is pivotal in ensuring that we achieve our 2025 target of 2.6 million barrels per day,” he said.
The minister also stressed the need for federal-state cooperation in addressing the challenges posed by oil theft, and called on governors, community leaders, and other stakeholders in oil-producing regions to support federal initiatives, noting that increased oil production directly benefits states through the 13% derivation fund.
Earlier, Rear Admiral SA Akinwande, Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, highlighted the key achievements of Operation Delta Sanity I, which had been running for 12 months since its activation in January 2024.
“Operation Delta Sanity has led to the arrest of 215 suspects, seizure of 6.5 million litres of stolen crude oil, and 7 million litres of illegally refined diesel. In addition to dismantling 468 illegal refinery sites, the Navy also deactivated 361 wooden boats, 1,107 dugout pits, and 279 storage tanks, significantly disrupting illegal activities in the Niger Delta.
“These efforts have contributed to a remarkable rise in Nigeria’s crude oil production, which now stands at 1.8 million barrels per day, up from 1.43 million barrels per day at the start of the year. With Operation Delta Sanity II, the Navy plans to build on these gains, targeting criminal syndicates in the backwaters and reducing environmental pollution caused by illegal refining. We are recalibrating our strategy to ensure continued momentum and success, with the goal of surpassing 2 million barrels per day in oil production,” Akinwande added.
