The Nigerian Navy has confiscated over 8.1 million barrels of stolen crude oil and 86,500 metric tons (MT) of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) over the past four years. Rear Admiral Olusegun Ferreira, the Chief of Training and Operations, disclosed this while addressing the press on Monday in Abuja.
Key Achievements by the Navy:
- Confiscations:
- 8.1 million barrels of stolen crude oil.
- 86,500 MT of illegally refined AGO.
- 788,312 liters of illegally sourced Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
- 21 million liters of Kerosene.
- Seized Equipment and Vehicles:
- 120 barges.
- 181 speed boats.
- 1,453 wooden boats carrying stolen petroleum products.
- 118 vehicles transporting stolen oil.
- Crackdown on Illegal Refineries:
- Deactivation of over 1,528 illegal refining sites.
- Destruction of 8,790 storage tanks.
- Arrests and Prosecutions:
- 392 suspected oil thieves arrested and handed over to relevant law enforcement agencies.
- High-profile arrests include vessels MT SWEET MIRI and MT VILLANIRIS I, carrying a combined total of 4 million liters of stolen crude oil.
- Regional and International Collaboration:
- Worked with neighboring countries like Cameroon, Benin, and Togo to apprehend vessels such as MT NEW ANGEL and MT JASMINE involved in oil theft.
- Hosted multinational exercises like CROCODILE LIFT and GRAND AFRICAN NEMO in collaboration with France, the UK, and Spain to bolster maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.
Positive Outcomes:
- The navy’s efforts have significantly reduced oil theft, leading to an increase in Nigeria’s daily crude oil production from 1.23 million barrels in October 2022 to 1.8 million barrels in October 2024, as reported by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
- Enhanced maritime security and ensured compliance in legitimate upstream and downstream oil operations.
Challenges:
- Rear Admiral Ferreira expressed concerns over misinformation and efforts by certain groups to tarnish the navy’s image, attributing this to the navy’s successful disruption of illegal activities in the oil sector.
- Despite these challenges, the navy remains committed to protecting Nigeria’s resources and fostering national development.
Commitment to Excellence:
The Nigerian Navy continues to focus on its professional mandate while collaborating with sister security services, international partners, and credible stakeholders to safeguard the nation’s resources and enhance economic prosperity.
