Over the course of four years, the Nigerian Navy confiscated more than 8.1 million barrels of stolen crude oil and 86,500 metric tonnes of illegally refined petroleum products.
Chief of Training and Operations (Navy), Rear Adm. Olusegun Ferreira, made the claim while updating reporters on the navy’s activities in Abuja on Monday.
Rear Adm. Ferreira also stated that the navy seized 788,312 litres of illegally supplied petrol and approximately 21 million gallons of paraffin during the same period.
“In the last four years, the navy has seized 120 barges, 181 speed boats, 1,453 wooden boats loaded with stolen goods, and 118 vehicles transporting stolen petroleum products,” he said.
He stated that anti-oil theft operations are the navy’s most important role because oil income contributes to Nigeria’s economic survival.
He went on to say that the navy has decommissioned over 1,528 illegal processing stations, 8,790 storage tanks, and arrested 392 suspected oil thieves.
“The suspects were handed over to relevant law enforcement agencies for further investigation and prosecution.
“Of particular note were the arrests of MT SWEET MIRI and MT VILLANIRIS I both filled with a combined quantity of four million litres of stolen crude oil.
“In view of its transnational nature, the fight against oil theft, also involves collaboration with our neighbours such as Cameroon, Benin and Togo who assisted in the apprehension of vessels such as MT NEW ANGEL and MT JASMINE involved in crude oil theft,” he said.
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Rear Adm. Ferreira stated that the navy recently held “Exercises CROCODILE LIFT and GRAND AFRICAN NEMO,” which were international exercises including Nigerian Navy ships, boats, and aircraft, as well as ships from regional navies and partners such as France, the United Kingdom, and Spain.
This, he says, is part of the navy’s regional efforts to improve marine security. He explained that the exercises were designed to strengthen their international relationship and teamwork in combating marine crimes in the Gulf of Guinea.
He also stated that the Nigerian Navy has maintained compliance for legal upstream and downstream operations on behalf of regulators.
“In spite of the disruptions by these unpatriotic elements, the Nigerian Navy has remained critical in the success of several strategic initiatives such as the Presidential Crude Oil Barging Regime.
“The Nigerian Navy will continue to remain focused in carrying out our functions as a highly professional and dedicated force in line with our statutory roles.
“In doing so, the navy will continue to work with sister services, partners and credible stakeholders in line with the whole-of-society approach in protecting our nation’s resources for economic prosperity and national development,” he added.
