How Operation DELTA SANITY is Turning the Tide against Crude Oil Thieves

When the 24th Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla activated Operation DELTA SANITY on January 10, 2024, the objective was not just to rejig the modus operandi of the Nigerian Navy in the fight against crude and theft, oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism, but also to sustain the gains recorded so far. Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that two months after, the successes recorded gives credence to effectiveness of the operation and resolve to confront this hydra-headed monster decisively and turn the tide against the criminals fueling such maritime crimes 

The hydra-headed menace of crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism have continuously sabotaged the fortunes Nigeria because the ill-informed activities of these economic saboteurs portends grave danger for the nation’s economy.

As far back as 2003 to 2008, an International Centre of Reconciliation study puts the total value of stolen crude oil and disrupted oil production at approximately N14 trillion.

In 2011 alone, according to reports, Nigeria lost about $7 billion to crude oil theft, a clear but whooping difference from the value of crude oil lost between 2003 and 2008. A Nigeria Natural Resource Charter (NNRC) report on crude oil theft in Nigeria revealed that the government lost about N3.8 trillion between 2016 and 2017.

That figure has tripled over the subsequent years as NNPC once pegged crude oil in the hands of saboteurs and vandals at an average of 200,000 barrels per day. This was a giant climb from 70,000 barrels per day as of August 2020. 

Therefore, it was an aghast nation that heard from Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Ltd Group Managing Director, Mele Kyari, that $1.5 billion was lost to oil thieves between January and March 2022. 

In 2023, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) reported that between May and the second week of October 2023, about 4,145 crude oil theft incidents were recorded with the country losing 400,000 barrels of oil per day to crude oil thieves.

Vice Admiral Ogalla’s Operation DELTA SANITY Interdiction

 Consequently, on assumption of office as the 24th Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla set out to resolutely confront this menace by re-jigging the modus operandi of the Nigerian Navy (NN) in line with Mr President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The goal is to turn the tide on such maritime crimes like Nigeria succeeded with piracy since 2022 which led to the de-listing of Nigeria from the list of piracy prone areas, by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB). 

Thus, given the seeming increase in Crude oil Theft (COT) within Nigeria’s maritime space, the CNS activated OPERATION DELTA SANITY on Wednesday January 10, 2024 to curb the activities of criminal elements in the country’s maritime environment.

This quick interdiction operation to nab nefarious elements bent of stealing crude oil is in line with the vision of the CNS which is to maintain “A highly motivated professional naval force capable of shaping the security outcomes within Nigeria’s maritime domain and the littorals including land-based engagements in fulfilment of Nigeria’s national interest.”

Thus began the activation of Operation DELTA SANITY with a clear mandate to tackle Crude Oil Theft (COT), Illegal oil bunkering, pipe line vandalism and a host of other criminalities on the nation’s maritime area. 

Successes Recordedby OP DELTA SANITY 

Since its activation, OP DELTA SANITY has recorded outstanding successes. In the first week of its activation, four a Illegal Refining Sites (IRS), five cooking ovens, one reservoir, five dugout pits and 12 wooden boats were de-activated.

Cost-wise, oil thieves were denied about 1,277.9 bbls (203,200 litres) of product suspected to be stolen crude oil and 19,600 litres of illegally refined AGO, giving credence to the effectiveness of Op DELTA SANITY and the resolve of the CNS to confront this hydra-headed monster decisively. In summary, 4 IRS, 5 ovens, one reservoir, 5 dugout pits and 12 wooden boats were appropriately handled during the period under review. Additionally, oil thieves were denied about 1,277.9 bbls (203,200 litres) of product suspected to be stolen crude oil and 19,600 litres of illegally refined AGO amounting to the sum of One Hundred and Fifty Million, Seven Hundred and Seventy Four Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty Six Naira Thirty Two Kobo (N151,774,256.32) only. 

Not done, further cumulative record of the first two weeks of Op DELTA SANITY revealed that approximately 4,036.7 barrels of crude oil, worth $473,009.589 (N591,498,491.04) and 270,600 litres of illegally refined AGO worth (N157,562,542.57) which sums up to N1,058,448,326.33 that could have been stolen by oil thieves with attendant inimical effects on national security and prosperity.

Essentially, in February, 14 IRS, 25 ovens, 21 reservoirs, 261 dugout pits, 12 wooden boats, one fibre boat and one vehicle were appropriately handled while  oil thieves were denied about 1,287.38 bbls (204,695 litres) of stolen crude oil;  70,780 litres of illegally refined AGO and 75 litres of illegally refined DPK amounting to the sum of N233,590,677.83 only. 

In specifics, just five days after its activation on 29 January 2024, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER in conjunction with Naval Security Station (NSS) 022, 026 and 028 conducted Recce Ops around Eleme Krakrama Creek in Degema LGA of Rivers and intercepted and deactivated six wooden boats laden with about 600 Litres of products suspected to be stolen AGO and 566 barrels (90,000 Litres) of product suspected to be stolen crude oil.

Same day NN Forward Operating Base (FOB) FORMOSO in Bayelsa State conducted Anti-COT/Illegal oil bunkering operation and discovered four IRS, five ovens and two  pumping machines within Brass, Nembe, Ogbia and Akassa river areas. They also arrested five wooden boats laden with about 704.4 bbls (112,000 litres) of stolen products. While the sites and items were dismantled, the products were handled appropriately.

Afterwards, FOB ESCRAVOS in Delta State in an anti-COT operations around Saghara Creek in Warri South LGA of Delta State dismantled a previously deactivated IRS undergoing reconstruction with an empty reservoir and five dugout pits. 

For NNS SOROH, from January 29 to February 2, in conjunction with NSS 030 and Ocean Marine Solution Houseboat Peremebiri, conducted and discovered a vandalised flowline station belonging to SPDC which was recently reactivated, as well as a newly constructed IRS with two pumping machines, three generators, galvanised pipes, 50 kg gas cylinder,  construction items and one wooden boat laden with sacks of about 19,000 litres of stolen AGO, all of which were towed to a safe location and handled appropriately.

On January 30, Naval Base OGUTA in Imo State conducted Anti-COT/Anti-Illegal Bunkering operations and discovered one fibre boat laden with about 7.5bbls (1,200 litres) of stolen crude oil. 

Gathering momentum, FOB FORMOSO on February 5, once again discovered an IRS with illegal crude oil tapping point on Nigerian Agip Oil Company pipeline and a large storage tank filled with about 138.36 barrels (22,000 litres) of stolen crude oil. The products were handled appropriately while the management of the Agip Oil company was informed of the illegal connection along the pipeline for further necessary action.

On February 6 and 9, NSS 026 and 028 under the tactical control of NNS PATHFINDER in Rivers State conducted joint anti-COT Operation around Cawthorne Channel 1, Krakrama, Bokokiri and Ke Community where they discovered seven isolated IRS with a total of 22 ovens, 10 reservoirs and seven dugout pits filled with both stolen crude oil and illegally refined AGO, as well as a large wooden boat laden with about 556.0 bbls (90,000 litres) of stolen crude near an abandoned oil wellhead, which were all deactivated.

In Cross River, NNS VICTORY on February 6, intercepted two large wooden boats en-route Cameroon laden with unspecified quantity of illegally refined AGO and about 150 drums of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which were seized. 

Furthermore, from February 7 to 11, NSS 030 under the tactical control of NNS SOROH discovered four IRS, five ovens, 11 reservoirs, 47 sacks cumulatively filled with about 116.47 bbls (18,520 litres) of stolen crude oil and a Toyota Camry with plate number KMK 520 HU loaded with refined Automotive Gas Oil around Ekpetire and Eduwini II communities in Bayelsa State. 

Also, the team intercepted six wooden boats cumulatively laden with about 384.74 bbls (61,175 litres) of stolen crude oil; 45,450 litres of illegally refined AGO and 75 litres of illegally refined Dual-Purpose kerosene (DPK) and also  recovered six pumping machines, one electric welding machine, one cutting machine, one generator, one outboard engine and 20 empty drums. 

Similarly, on February 7, FOB ESCRAVOS acting on intelligence report visited an IRS at Kokoyo community along Saghara creek in Warri South-West Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State and identified several dug-out pits and 30 polyethylene sack bags filled with about 81.76 bbls (13,000 litres) of stolen crude oil and while the IRS was dismantled, the products were deactivated.

 Likewise, on February 8, FOB BONNY conducted anti-COT ops around Cawthorne Channel, Yellow Island, Ijawkiri and Adamakiri general areas of Rivers State and intercepted five wooden boats laden with about 20,500 litres of illegal refined AGO and sacks filled with sludge. 

The team also intercepted a fiber boat conveying metal sheets and iron rods intended for construction of ovens. Accordingly, the wooden boats and its items were towed to a safe location and deactivated. Notably, three suspects were arrested and are presently in custody before being handed over to appropriate agencies for further investigation and possible prosecution.

In another development, on February 10, FOB IGBOKODA acting on a credible intelligence visited a building used for storage of illegally refined POL product at Mahin Riverine area in Ilaje LGA of Ondo State where the operators of the site fled. However, the operatives recovered about 330 litres of illegally refined AGO in jerry cans, which were evacuated to a safe location and handled appropriately.

When compared with the previous tw weeks, there was an increase in the numbers of IRS, ovens, reservoirs, dug out pits speed boat and vehicle as well as same number of wooden boats deactivated. 

Cumulatively, a review of Operation DELTA SANITY from inception on  January 10, 2024 to February 20, 2024 revealed that approximately 5,324.08 barrels of crude oil, worth $578,613.369 (N838,700,078.37); 341,380 litres of illegally refined AGO worth (N232,275,787.17) and DPK worth (N102,150), all summed up to N1,071,078,015.54 only that could have been used to perpetrate acts inimical to national security and prosperity was denied oil thieves.

In total, 40 wooden boats were arrested, while 80, 70, 288, 34 and one Illegal Refining Ovens, Reservoirs, Dugout Pits, IRS and Fibre Boats were deactivated respectively, as well as one arrested vehicle.

Also, while 15 suspects have been arrested, 53 IRS have been deactivated, with 63 wooden boats and five vehicles demobilised. Additionally, four speedboats, 15 pumping machines, two outboard engines, two welding machines and four generator sets have been seized from the criminal elements.

 Furthermore, oil thieves have been denied about 10,174,707.33litres (63,991.87bbl) of crude oil, 618,080litres of illegally refined AGO, 75litres of DPK and 77,250litres of PMS. At current market rates, this amounts to the sum of N9,413,465,911.36 denied oil thieves since the commencement of the operation. 

Milestone Arrest of Motor Tanker (MT) SWEET MIRI

 As icing on the cake, Operation DELTA SANITY recorded a significant milestone with the arrest of a syndicate of 13 crew members (one Ghanaian and 12 Nigerians) on board a Ghanaian owned vessel known as Motor Tanker (MT) SWEET MIRI on February 25, 2024. 

The arrest was made at about 174 nautical mile (approximately 320km) off Nigeria’s coast heading towards Benin Republic, after the vessel was observed to have switched off her Automatic Identification System (AIS) in a bid to evade detection. The infraction by the vessel contravened the International Ships and Port Security Code (ISPS) and she had been tagged a “Vessel of Interest” (VoI) by the NN. 

The NN Maritime Domain Awareness infrastructure observed the criminal intent of the vessel and subsequently vectored two NN ships on patrol- NNS ABA and NNS SOKOTO to intercept and

 interrogate the vessel and it was discovered that MT SWEET MIRI was involved in illegalities and the vessel was subsequently arrested. 

Notably, upon arrest, MT SWEET MIRI was found carrying about 2 million litres of product suspected to be crude oil without any form of approval from relevant authorities. Further investigation revealed that the rogue vessel had siphoned this large amount of crude oil from an abandoned well-head.

Increase in Nigeria’s Crude Oil Production

It is on record that in less than two months, Op DELTA SANITY has recorded huge successes and the tide against crude oil thieves has turned significantly. Expectedly, the inability of these nefarious elements to continue stealing the nation’s resources has impacted positively on Nigeria’s production quota. 

For instance, when the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) released its crude oil production report for the month of January 2024, it was noted that the nation produced 1.43 million barrels of crude oil per day representing a 6.9 per cent increase when compared with the 1.34 million barrels of crude oil produced per day in December 2023. 

The increase in crude oil production in January 2024 is the highest production recorded since January 2022 and for stakeholders, it’s due to the commendable effort of the NN led by Vice Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla.

More admirable is that fact that Nigeria  has conservatively recorded increase in crude oil production for the past two months at  Bonny, Forcados, Escravos, Brass and Qua Iboe oil terminals.

Way Forward 

While it is undisputed that the successes of Op DELTA SANITY have contributed significantly to Nigeria’s economic well-being, it is however imperative for NNPCL to direct International Oil Companies (IOC) to ensure complete dismantling, deactivation and sealing of abandoned well-heads because in many instances, the crude oil thieves siphon products from these well heads as was the case with MT SWEET MIRI.

Also, there is need for the establishment of Maritime Courts to ensure speedy dispensation of justice and rid the Nigerian Navy of the burden of housing these seized vessels, products and even crew, thus incurring huge financial loss for the navy. This is in addition to reviewing the Armed Forces Act to give the navy prosecutorial powers.

It is also imperative for a comprehensive database for such maritime criminals given the intensity and trans-national nature the theft has assumed.

Meanwhile, stakeholders who spoke to THISDAY were unanimous in describing Vice Admiral Ogalla as a man on a mission to prove that despite the endemic nature of COT within the Niger Delta, the NN’s Trinity of Action operational concept comprising Surveillance, Quick Response and Effective Law Enforcement can overwhelm the perpetrators of COT and engender a long-lasting solution to the problem.