The Nigerian Navy has arrested 76 vessels and at least 242 suspects in anti-oil theft operations, destroying over 800 illegal refining sites in a two-year crackdown.
According to Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the navy has seized around 171,000 barrels of crude and millions of litres of illegally refined fuels from criminal networks since June 2023.
The crackdown aims to combat rampant oil theft from pipelines and wells, which has crippled Nigeria’s oil industry, damaged government finances, and stifled exports.
The navy has also begun verifying oil cargoes loaded at Nigeria’s five major export terminals to prevent oil theft at its source.
To enhance its operations, the navy has acquired patrol boats, three new ships, and three AW 139 Trekker helicopters. It is also building two additional seaward defence boats and will take delivery of two 76-meter offshore patrol vessels from Dearsan Shipyard in Turkey.
