Navy dismantles 60 illegal refineries in Niger Delta

The Nigerian Navy’s Eastern Naval Command (ENC) has deactivated 60 illicit refinery sites in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria between January and April 2024.

Rear Admiral Saheed Akinwande, the Flag Officer Commanding of the ENC, also revealed that approximately 293,900 liters of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) were seized and destroyed during this period. Additionally, he disclosed that 412,000 liters of stolen crude oil were recovered.

Addressing journalists at his office in Calabar, Rear Admiral Akinwande attributed these accomplishments to Operation Delta Sanity, which has been operational since January under the directive of the Chief of Naval Staff.

He highlighted various achievements of the operation, including an increase in sea patrol time to approximately 1,752 hours, with a cumulative patrol time of around 45,540 and 30 hours by boats and air assets, respectively. The operation also resulted in robust riverine patrol and clearance operations, leading to the arrest of numerous suspects, destruction of several wooden boats, and recovery of illegal bunkering equipment.

Furthermore, Rear Admiral Akinwande emphasized the navy’s intensified efforts against smuggling, resulting in the interception of smuggled parboiled rice and petroleum products. He noted a significant improvement in crude oil production capacity, as verified by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, attributing it to the navy’s actions against illegal bunkering.

The operational objectives of Operation Delta Sanity are aimed at curtailing illegal oil bunkering, pipeline vandalism, and other crimes in the Niger Delta region, effectively restricting the freedom of action of illicit bunkering syndicates and dismantling illegal refining sites while apprehending suspects and vessels involved.