As part of ongoing initiatives to enhance Nigeria’s daily crude oil production and address economic sabotage, personnel from the Nigerian Navy stationed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Escravos have achieved significant operational milestones in the battle against crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and associated illicit activities in the Niger Delta.
Through a series of coordinated efforts, FOB Escravos has dismantled eight illegal refining sites and confiscated roughly 20,710 litres of stolen crude oil along with 3,225 litres of illegally processed Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
The products were found in two locally made ovens, 66 dugout pits, and 43 polythene sacks. Furthermore, three suspects have been apprehended, and two boats have been seized.
These accomplishments, noted under the current Operation Delta Sanity II, were made possible due to reliable intelligence and align with the strategic directives of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla (Admiralty Medal), which focus on maintaining pressure on economic saboteurs.
He stated, “On 6 June 2025, operatives, acting on actionable intelligence, dismantled three illegal refining sites located at Obodo Omadino, Warri South-West LGA, Delta State.
“The sites contained 4,660 litres of stolen crude oil and 1,125 litres of illegally refined AGO, which were found distributed among one oven, 19 dugout pits, and 15 polythene sacks.
The products were discovered in two locally fabricated ovens, 66 dugout pits, and 43 polythene sacks. In addition, the base arrested three suspects and seized two boats.
These achievements, recorded under the ongoing Operation Delta Sanity II, were made possible through credible intelligence and are in line with the strategic directives of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla (Admiralty Medal), which emphasise sustained pressure on economic saboteurs.
He said, “On 6 June 2025, operatives acting on substantive intelligence dismantled three illegal refining sites at Obodo Omadino, located in Warri South-West LGA, Delta State.
“The sites contained 4,660 litres of stolen crude oil and 1,125 litres of illegally processed AGO, stored across one oven, 19 dugout pits, and 15 polythene sacks.
“Then, on 13 June 2025, two more sites were taken down at Oteghele, also in Obodo Omadino, resulting in the recovery of 8,400 litres of stolen crude oil stored within 21 dugout pits.
“Continuing the operational momentum, on 15 June 2025, following credible intelligence regarding illegal crude oil siphoning at Chevron Nigeria Limited’s Malu Jacket 19, situated offshore Escravos, an anti-crude oil theft team was deployed. Upon arrival, the team found a wooden boat connected to the platform with a hose, siphoning crude oil.
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“The boat, equipped with a 40HP Yamaha outboard engine, was taken into custody, and three suspects were arrested. Additionally, one speedboat fitted with a 200HP Yamaha outboard engine was also seized during this operation.
“In a subsequent operation on 19 June 2025, three additional illegal refining sites were discovered and dismantled at Oteghele, resulting in the recovery of around 7,650 litres of stolen crude oil and 2,100 litres of illegally refined AGO from 26 dugout pits and 28 polythene sacks.
“FOB Escravos remains steadfast in its commitment to dismantling illegal refining structures and protecting Nigeria’s oil assets from economic sabotage.”
