The Nigerian Navy has reported major successes in its fight against oil theft and other maritime crimes in 2023. According to statistics released at a press conference in Abuja, Navy operatives recovered over 800 barrels of stolen crude oil valued at an estimated 105 billion naira across the country this year.

The Navy Chief of Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, revealed that between January and December 2023, the force destroyed 703 illegal oil refining sites located in the creeks and forests of the Niger Delta region. Operatives also apprehended and destroyed 690 Cotonou boats transporting stolen crude oil, as well as 116 speedboats used by oil thieves.

In total, the Nigerian Navy arrested 232 suspects engaged in crude oil theft, while 82 vehicles and 23 vessels used in transporting stolen oil were also seized. The arrested vessels include the MT Marine Express, MT Cecilia, MT Ufuoma and several other ships caught carrying illegal oil consignments.

From the seizures, the Navy recovered over 46 million liters of illegally refined diesel, 2.4 million liters of kerosene and 438,000 liters of petrol. The estimated street value of all the stolen oil and petroleum products recovered this year is around 105 billion naira.

In addition to fighting oil theft, the Nigerian Navy has cracked down on drug trafficking in the country’s waters. Between April and November 2023, the force arrested 692 bags of cannabis worth an estimated 1.4 billion naira.

The Navy chief attributed these successes to the force’s increased patrols across Nigeria’s territorial waters and renewed crackdown on maritime crimes. He reiterated the Navy’s commitment to securing the nation’s maritime domain and stopping the economic sabotage caused by illegal oil bunkering and drug trafficking.