The Nigerian Navy’s fight against crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and other acts of economic sabotage produced new results in the early hours of Tuesday, March 4, 2025, when personnel from Forward Operating Base Escravos discovered and sealed three illegal refining sites at Obodo in the Omadino riverine community, Warri South West Local Government Area, Delta State.
The commanding officer of FOB Escravos, Navy Captain Ikenna Okoloagu, who led the operation, told journalists that the sites contained approximately 3,700 litres of stolen crude oil and 2,600 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), which were stored in five ovens, 12 dug-out pits, and 33 polythene sacks.
He stated, “The successful operation, which was carried out in support of the continuing operation Delta Sanity II, was based on credible intelligence.
“The operation further highlights the commitment of FOB Escravos to achieving the objectives of the Strategic Directives of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral E. I. Ogalla (Admiralty Medal), in rooting out all forms of illegal activities within the maritime environment.”
Navy Captain Okoloagu took use of the occasion to warn prospective economic saboteurs in the oil industry to halt their unlawful operations, as the Base will go to whatever length to deny them freedom of action and bring them to court.
