The Nigerian Navy has mentioned that its personnel killed one, arrested two suspected oil thieves and destroyed two of their camps in Rivers State.
A press release by the Director of Data, Naval Headquarters, Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, on Monday, mentioned the Fast Response Staff of Nigerian Navy Ahead Working Base Bonny below Operation DELTA SANITY, on Sunday, July 21, 2024, engaged a gaggle of suspected crude oil thieves in a firefight at Elem-Akrakama, and Elem-Tombia basic space of Rivers State.
He mentioned the suspects who had been armed onboard two speedboats on sighting the group diverted and fled into their camp.
He mentioned the relentless Nigerian Navy group deployed drone surveillance for situational consciousness and efficient fires, forcing the suspects to retreat into the encompassing creeks.
“The operation resulted in a decisive victory because the criminals’ camp and boats had been efficiently destroyed.
“One suspect was neutralised whereas two suspects had been arrested and are at present present process investigation,” the Navy spokesman mentioned.
Based on the Director, the troops recovered two outboard engines (200 and 140 Horse Energy) and two Motorola walkie-talkie radios, amongst others, from the suspects.
He recalled that the Chief of the Naval Employees, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, launched Operation DELTA SANITY in January 2024 to fight Crude Oil Theft within the Niger Delta area.
The operation entails the deployment of extra personnel, platforms, helicopters and Unmanned Aerial Autos (UAVs) on aggressive surveillance and interdiction operations.
He added that the outstanding successes of the operation led to its extension in April 2024 and one other extension in July 2024.
He mentioned: “between April-July 2024, 24 suspects and 6 vessels have been arrested, whereas 122 Unlawful Refinery Websites had been deactivated and 57 picket boats destroyed.”
He warned that, “nefarious components concerned in Crude Oil Theft and different illegalities in Nigeria’s maritime house are warned to desist from such acts because the Nigerian Navy will cease at nothing to revive sanity and order within the Niger Delta Area.”
