By Victor Akaa
In a significant blow to oil thieves and illegal refining operations, the Nigerian Navy’s Operation DELTA SANITY has achieved a major success with the apprehension of six individuals and the seizure of illegal petroleum products in Bayelsa State.
On Saturday, August 31, 2024, Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH conducted a patrol in the Ogboinibiri area of Bayelsa State, where they discovered and apprehended six individuals in possession of four fibre boats and two wooden boats laden with numerous sacks containing illegally refined petroleum products.
The suspects were subsequently handed over to operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Ogboinibiri for further investigation and prosecution.
In a related operation, the patrol team also discovered an illegal refining site and a wooden boat laden with an unspecified amount of stolen crude oil in Gbaraun, Bayelsa State. The site was likely being used to illegally refine and transport stolen crude oil, contributing to the economic sabotage and environmental degradation plaguing the region.
The success of Operation DELTA SANITY demonstrates the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to combating illegal activities in the maritime domain and protecting the nation’s economic interests.
The operation is a testament to the effectiveness of collaborative efforts between security agencies in tackling the scourge of oil theft and illegal refining in the Niger Delta region.
