Naval Chief Declares Zero Tolerance for Oil Theft

•Says personnel involved will face full wrath of law

•Army, NSCDC uncover 14 illegal refining sites in Niger Delta

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla, yesterday, declared zero tolerance for oil theft.

He warned that any naval personnel involved in illegal act would face the full wrath of the law.

He said Nigerians expect their Navy to remain above reproach as a force they could admire and rely upon.

The declaration came as troops of the Nigerian Army in synergy with personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) uncovered 14 illegal refining sites in the Niger Delta region.

Ogalla, who spoke at the 2023 Nigerian Navy Retreat at the Naval Headquarters in Abuja, said he was determined to contain oil theft which he said was, “a serious crime that is costing the nation billions of dollars each year.”

He took a swipe at mischief makers, whom he said created the false impression and media frenzy that blamed the Navy for oil theft.

The naval chief affirmed his eagerness to tackle oil theft as one of the strategic initiatives of the Nigerian Navy.

“One of the conceptual initiatives I am eager to listen to is the Strategic Plan to tackle Crude Oil Theft (COT) which is a serious crime that is costing the nation billions of dollars each year. It is also a threat to our national security.

“Recently, there has been a lot of media frenzy on the issue of COT. Unfortunately, some of these are intentionally propagated to embarrass the Nigerian Navy and misinform unsuspecting members of the public.

“We cannot afford to be complacent or make the NN vulnerable for exploitation by mischief makers”, he said.

“I therefore want to make this clear that under my watch there is zero tolerance for crude oil theft in the Nigeria Navy. Any officer or rating that is found to be involved in COT will be punished to the full extent of the law. I expect you to go back and educate your officers and men about the dangers of COT.

“The government looks up to us to lead the fight to eradicate COT. Accordingly, we must work together with sister services and other related agencies to stamp out the menace.

“Nigerians expect their Navy to remain above reproach, as a force they can admire and rely upon. Gentlemen, it behooves us to take fierce pride in this obligation,” he said.

The naval chief charged commanders to uphold discipline in their commands.

“Discipline is essential for any successful organisation, but it is especially important to the military. As commanders, I am counting on you to uphold discipline in your commands.  “Be role models to your officers and men. Set a high standard of conduct and enforce the rules fairly and consistently.

“Always do the right thing especially when it is hard. Related to this is the need to enhance civil-military cooperation and relations with civilians in your areas of operation,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army in synergy with personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) uncovered 14 illegal refining sites in the Niger Delta region as part of a crackdown on saboteurs of Nigeria’s oil sector.

A statement by Nigerian Army Headquarters stated that troops of 181 Amphibious Battalion conducting anti-oil theft operations raided camps of oil bunkerers in Owahwa Creek in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.

It noted that during the operation, troops discovered 12 active illegal refining sites, 60 crude oil cooking ovens, 14 reservoirs, six wooden boats laden with stolen crude and 470 sacks of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) concealed in the camps.

Relatedly, same troops also intercepted a vehicle conveying 25 polytene bags of suspected illegally refined AGO in Ogbodu Community in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State.

“In a similar operation, troops also conducted on September 2, 2023, troops of 3 Battalion, intercepted two wooden boats laden with stolen crude in Tsekelewu, Warri North Local Government Area of Delta state.

“The troops also arrested two suspects in connection with the crime. Both suspects and the illegal products have been handed over to NSCDC personnel attached to Tantita Security Services for further action,” it added.

The statement urged members to report any suspected act of sabotage or criminality to security agencies to enhance ongoing operations to curb economic sabotage in the country.