The Nigerian Navy’s fight against crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and other acts of economic sabotage yielded fresh results in the early hours of Tuesday, March 4, 2025, as personnel of the Forward Operating Base Escravos discovered and sealed three illegal refining sites at Obodo in the Omadino riverine community, Warri South West Local Government Area of 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), stored in five ovens, 12 dug-out pits, and 33 polythene sacks.
According to him, “The successful operation, which was carried out in support of the ongoing 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 used the opportunity to warn potential economic saboteurs in the oil sector to desist from illegal activities, as the Base will stop at nothing to deny them freedom of action and ensure they are brought to justice.
