The Nigerian Navy (NN) has announced that its Forward Operating Base Bonny team, operating under Operation Delta Sanity, has dismantled a suspected crude oil thieves’ camp and apprehended two suspects in Rivers State.
Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, the director of naval information, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
According to Adams-Aliu, on Sunday, the team engaged in a firefight with suspected crude oil thieves in the Elem-Akrakama and Elem-Tombia areas of Rivers State.
Upon sighting the naval team, the armed suspects, who were aboard two speedboats, diverted and fled into their camp, with the navy personnel in pursuit.
Adams-Aliu mentioned that the team utilized drone surveillance for situational awareness and precise targeting, which forced the suspects to retreat into the surrounding creeks.
“The operation resulted in a decisive victory as the criminals’ camp and boats were successfully destroyed.
“Additionally, one suspect was neutralised while two were arrested and are currently undergoing investigation.
“Items recovered from the suspects include two outboard engines (200 and 140 Horse Power) and two Motorola walkie-talkie radios, amongst others,” he said.
Adams-Aliu recalled that the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, launched the operation in January 2024 to combat crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region.
He said the successes of the operation led to its extension in April 2024 and another extension in July 2024.
According to him, 24 suspects and six vessels have been arrested between April and July, while 122 Illegal refinery sites were deactivated and 57 wooden boats destroyed.
“The successful operation by Quick Response Team of Nigeria Navy Forward Operating Base BONNY is one of the many effective interdiction operations conducted by Nigerian Navy units in Niger Delta region.
“Once again, 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,” he added.
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