The Nigerian Navy has concluded a two-year campaign targeting oil theft and illegal refining operations. As part of the effort, 76 vessels were seized, at least 242 suspects were arrested, and more than 800 illegal refineries were destroyed.
According to Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, since June 2023 the Navy has confiscated approximately 171,000 barrels of crude oil and millions of liters of illegally refined petroleum products. Large-scale oil theft from pipelines and wells has seriously impacted Nigeria’s economy, reducing national revenues and export volumes.
Since early 2024, the Navy has also begun inspecting petroleum cargoes at the country’s five main export terminals in a bid to prevent theft at the source.
To strengthen maritime security, the Nigerian Navy has acquired new patrol boats, three ships, and three AW139 Trekker helicopters, and is currently building two additional coastal defense boats. Furthermore, the Navy is set to receive two 76-meter patrol vessels from the Dearsan shipyard in Turkey.
These actions reflect Nigeria’s firm commitment to ending systematic oil theft and restoring accountability and transparency in the energy sector.
