CNS extends operation sanity to 90 days for aggressive, interdiction operations
CNS extends operation sanity to 90 days for aggressive, interdiction operations
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The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla has extended the Nigerian Navy code name Operation DELTA SANITY by 90 days.
The Operation DELTA SANITY which was launched on January 6, 2024 to combat oil theft and related crimes.
The NN, Director of Information, Commodore Adams Aliu, in a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday said that the extension was in line with the President and Commander-in-Chief’s directive to eradicate crude oil theft and ramp up Nigeria's production for an improved economy.
He stated that ‘OPERATION DELTA SANITY’ involved the deployment of personnel, platforms, helicopters and UAVs on aggressive surveillance and interdiction operations across the Niger Delta area.
According to him, the successes were immediate and remarkable including the recovery of massive quantities of stolen products, the dismantling of Illegal Refining Sites, arrest of suspects and seizure of stolen products.
“The Operation was extended in April 2024 for 90 days”
While assessing the achievements of the operation the Commander Task Group, Rear Admiral Samson Bura stated that since the extension in April 2024, a total of 22 suspects have been arrested and about 122 Illegal Refinery Sites were deactivated.
He said “large quantities of crude oil and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) were seized and appropriately handled while a total of 57 wooden boats, 45 dugout pits and 65 storage tanks were deactivated while also 6 vessels were arrested”
“ Additionally, several items and equipment used in the construction of illegal refineries were seized”
He stated further that the achievements and successes of ‘Operation DELTA SANITY’ underscore the need for the operation to be extended.
However, the CNS Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla has approved the extension of ‘Operation DELTA SANITY” for a further 90 days effective from July 10, 2024.
He added that the announcement was made on Wednesday July 10, 2024, onboard Nigerian Navy Ship OKPABANA at Onne, Rivers State by the Chief of Training and Operations, Rear Admiral Olusegun Ferreira who represented the Chief of the Naval Staff.
He further added that the CNS thanked the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his unwavering support to the Armed Forces in general and the Nigerian Navy in particular.
