Navy Kills 1, Arrests 2 Suspected Oil Thieves In Rivers

The Nigerian Navy has said that its personnel killed one, arrested two suspected oil thieves and destroyed two of their camps in Rivers State.

A statement by the Director of Information, Naval Headquarters, Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, on Monday, said the Quick Response Team of Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base Bonny under Operation DELTA SANITY, on Sunday, July 21, 2024, engaged a group of suspected crude oil thieves in a firefight at Elem-Akrakama, and Elem-Tombia general area of Rivers State.

He said the suspects who were armed onboard two speedboats on sighting the team diverted and fled into their camp.

He said the relentless Nigerian Navy team deployed drone surveillance for situational awareness and effective fires, forcing the suspects to retreat into the surrounding creeks.

“The operation resulted in a decisive victory as the criminals’ camp and boats were successfully destroyed.

“One suspect was neutralised while two suspects were arrested and are currently undergoing investigation,” the Navy spokesman said.

According to the Director, the troops recovered two outboard engines (200 and 140 Horse Power) and two Motorola walkie-talkie radios, amongst others, from the suspects.

He recalled that the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, launched Operation DELTA SANITY in January 2024 to combat Crude Oil Theft in the Niger Delta region.

The operation involves the deployment of more personnel, platforms, helicopters and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) on aggressive surveillance and interdiction operations.

He added that the remarkable successes of the operation led to its extension in April 2024 and another extension in July 2024.

He said: “between April-July 2024, 24 suspects and six vessels have been arrested, while 122 Illegal Refinery Sites were deactivated and 57 wooden boats destroyed.”

He warned that, “nefarious elements involved in Crude Oil Theft and other illegalities in Nigeria’s maritime space are warned to desist from such acts as the Nigerian Navy will stop at nothing to restore sanity and order in the Niger Delta Region.”