The Nigerian Navy has arrested 76 vessels and over 240 suspects in a sweeping two-year campaign against oil theft, destroying more than 800 illegal refineries, officials said Thursday.
Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, Chief of Naval Staff, told reporters in Abuja that since June 2023, the navy has seized about 171,000 barrels of stolen crude oil and millions of litres of illicitly refined products.
Oil theft has severely undermined Nigeria’s energy sector and public revenues, prompting the military to step up enforcement. In a bid to cut losses at export points, the navy began auditing all oil cargoes loaded at the country’s five main terminals in January.
To bolster operations, the navy has expanded its fleet with new patrol boats, three ships, and three AW139 helicopters. Two additional seaward defence boats are under construction, and two offshore patrol vessels from Turkey’s Dearsan Shipyard are expected soon.