This was disclosed in a press conference held in Abuja on Friday.
By Lot Sunday
The Nigerian Navy has announced a significant accomplishment in its continuous efforts to combat illegal activities in the maritime domain.
In a press conference held in Abuja on Friday, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the Chief of Naval Staff, revealed that naval operatives across the country successfully recovered 803 barrels of crude oil, amounting to an estimated value of N105 billion, during the course of 2023.
According to Vice Admiral Ogalla, the Nigerian Navy executed operations leading to the destruction of 703 illegal refining sites. Additionally, they apprehended 5 barges, 690 Cotonou boats carrying stolen crude, and 116 speed boats involved in illicit activities.
The crackdown on illegal operations also resulted in the arrest of 232 suspects engaged in Crude Oil Theft (COT).
The Chief of Naval Staff further highlighted that 82 vehicles/trucks and 23 vessels were seized during the operations. Notable vessels apprehended included MT Marine Express, MT Cecilia, MT Ufuoma, MT Vigor I, MV Barge Ayeba Eneni, FT Lamu I, and MT Vinnalaris I Lagos, among others.
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As a result of these efforts, the Nigerian Navy successfully recovered 46,369,219 liters of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), 2,472,200 liters of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), and 438,886 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).Additionally, 803,353, 20 barrels of crude oil were retrieved.
The Chief of Naval Staff emphasized that the current market value of these seizures is estimated to be around N105 billion.
In a parallel initiative against illicit drug trafficking within the maritime domain, the Nigerian Navy arrested 692 bags of Cannabis Sativa between April and November 2023.
The confiscated drugs, valued at about One Billion, Three Hundred and Eighty-Four Thousand Naira, have been duly handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in compliance with legal procedures.
The Nigerian Navy’s resolute actions underscore its commitment to maintaining maritime security and curbing illegal activities that undermine the nation’s economic interests.
