…Seizes 26 Vessels, Arrests 215 Suspects, Deactivates 468 Illegal Refinery Sites

…FCT Minister Wike Lauds Navy, Security Agencies for Enhanced Security in Abuja

By Kingsley Omonobi

The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft and piracy, leading to the seizure of 26 sea-going vessels and the arrest of 215 suspects across Nigeria’s maritime domain and the Gulf of Guinea (GoG).

Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, revealed this during the Naval Unit Abuja Socio-Cultural Activity for 2024, noting that the Navy discovered and deactivated 468 illegal refinery sites in the past year.

According to the CNS, the Navy recorded significant successes, including:

Seizure of 6.5 million litres of stolen crude oil.

Confiscation of 7 million litres of illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO).

Deactivation of 361 wooden boats, 1,107 dugout pits, and 279 storage tanks.

He emphasized that these efforts have boosted Nigeria’s crude oil production from 1.418 million barrels per day (bpd) in December 2023 to 1.8 million bpd by December 2024, marking a 20% increase.

“We have created an enabling environment for the operationalization of marginal fields, oil and gas infrastructure, increased shipping activities, port development, and food security,” Ogalla stated.

To further enhance maritime security, the Navy inducted new assets, including:

NNS ZUR, NNS CHALLAWA, and NNS OCHUZO into its fleet.

Three Leonardo A109 TREKKA helicopters into the Navy’s Air Arm.

Several new patrol boats deployed across operational bases.

The Navy also strengthened inter-agency cooperation, actively participating in joint military operations such as Fasan Yamma, Hadin Kai, and Whirl Stroke, spanning Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

On the global front, the Nigerian Navy hosted key maritime security events in 2024:

International Maritime Conference & Regional Maritime Exercise (May–June 2024).

8th Symposium of Heads of Navies of Gulf of Guinea Countries (November 2024).

Additionally, the Navy finalized the conceptual plan for the Combined Maritime Task Force for the Gulf of Guinea, recently presented to the African Union (AU) by President Bola Tinubu.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, praised the Navy and security agencies for their role in improving security in Abuja. Represented by Mr. Olubiyi Sunday, he noted that the theme of the event—”Strengthening Inter-Agency Collaboration for Enhanced National Security through Sociocultural Harmony”—was timely.

“The celebration of past operational successes is crucial for re-evaluating strategies to improve security in 2025,” Wike said, highlighting achievements in infrastructure development, road construction, school rehabilitation, revenue generation, and overall security improvements in the FCT.

He emphasized the need for sociocultural harmony to strengthen national unity and security efforts, especially in combating terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and armed robbery.

In his address, Commodore Oluseyi Oladipo, Commander of Naval Unit Abuja, reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to enhanced security, citing joint operations and infrastructural developments within the Naval Base.

He noted that the Naval Sociocultural Activity (NASA) 2024 evolved from the military’s traditional West African Social Activity (WASA), aimed at celebrating officers, soldiers, and their families after a demanding operational year.

The event featured traditional and contemporary dances, tug-of-war contests, and sack races, fostering camaraderie among security agencies.

Vice Admiral Ogalla urged officers, ratings, and civilian staff to redouble their efforts in fulfilling the Navy’s constitutional mandate in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“The Navy remains dedicated to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain and securing the nation’s economic assets,” he affirmed.