The Nigerian Navy has stated that its operations have helped restore near-normal levels of crude oil production in the country.

The outgoing Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) of the Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Saheed Akinwande, made this known during a farewell parade held in his honour on Friday in Calabar.

He explained that the command, which oversees operations across 13 states, has significantly curtailed crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and other criminal activities within its jurisdiction.

“In addition to serving as the FOC of the Eastern Naval Command, I was privileged to be appointed Commander of Task Group Operation Delta Sanity 2 by the Chief of Naval Staff,” he said.

“The operation was launched on 30th December 2024 with the strategic aim of tackling crude oil theft, vandalism, and other acts of economic sabotage.

“It is heartening to share that Operation Delta Sanity 2 has achieved remarkable successes in the nation’s maritime sector,” he added.

According to Akinwande, the operation has played a vital role in boosting terminal efficiency and increasing production output.

“As of June this year, OPEC reported that Nigeria had become the largest crude oil producer in Africa, with production rising to about 1.6 million barrels per day,” he noted.

The outgoing 41st FOC emphasized that these achievements would not have been possible without the dedication and commitment of the officers and men under his command.

He also acknowledged the enabling environment created by the Chief of Naval Staff as a key factor in the command’s successes.

“These visible results, which we are all proud of, could not have been achieved without the unwavering support and professionalism of the principal staff officers, commanders, commandants, and commanding officers who worked tirelessly,” he said.

“These accomplishments stand as a testament to the dedication of every officer and rating who served under this command during my tenure.

“Your collective wisdom, expertise, and commitment to duty provided the foundation for our success.”

Akinwande urged officers and men of the command to extend the same level of cooperation to his successor.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the command’s area of responsibility includes a coastline of approximately 110 nautical miles and a maritime area of about 22,000 square nautical miles, extending into the Joint Development Zone with Equatorial Guinea, and the coastlines of São Tomé and Príncipe.