Nigerian Navy operatives, working in conjunction with the Department of State Services (DSS) officials in joint raid of Akwa Ibom waterways have busted a syndicate of oil thieves and other maritime criminals arresting no fewer than nine suspects.

Addressing journalists on the operation at the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Ibaka in Mbo local government area, the Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Jubilee at Ikot Abasi, Commodore Abubakar Umar, said the intensification of the war against oil thieves and other sea hoodlums followed the launch last December 30, 2024, of ‘Operation Delta Sanity’ by the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral, Ikechukwu Ogalla.

He explained that “the objective of the operation is to checkmate crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, pipeline vandalism, smuggling, sea robbery, and piracy, amongst other maritime crimes in the Eastern flank of the country’s maritime environment with a view to increasing the country’s crude oil production.”

He recalled that “since the launch of the operation, the Task Group has conducted series of maritime and air patrols as well as interdiction operations.”

Therefore, the naval chief expressed delight that the operations had been successful, with several arrests and prosecutions of criminal suspects.

On the current raid, he explains: “I am glad to state that following the receipt of information from a credible source, on 7 Feb 25, a wooden boat suspected to be carrying out act of economic sabotage with 9 persons were arrested in the vicinity of one of the well heads within Eastern Naval Command Area of Responsibility (ENCAR).

“The arrest was a result of joint intelligence collaboration between the security team from the operators, the Nigerian Navy and the Department of State Service (DSS).

“This was a well-coordinated maritime operation with NN assets, ships and air assets including a Private Maritime Logistics Support Companies (PMLSCs) under own command were deployed on the directive of the Commander Task Group Operation DELTA SANITY 2, R Adm SA Akinwande.

“This arrest demonstrates the NN resolve and commitment to reduce maritime related crimes in the nation’s maritime domain to the barest minimum.

“Again this effort aligns with the desire of the CNS on the need for synergy between the Armed Forces and other security agencies. I also seize this opportunity to warn crude oil thieves and other criminal elements operating in the Eastern flank of the country to desist from their acts of economic sabotage as the NN is poised to deal ruthlessly with economic saboteurs.

“As for the arrested suspects, proper investigation has been initiated, and they will be made to face the full wrath of the law.”