Buzzapp Master 
…Declares major gains in crackdown on oil theft ahead of 69th anniversary
The Nigerian Navy will commission three new patrol vessels and three helicopters as part of events marking its 69th anniversary, in a major boost to maritime security and the fight against economic sabotage.
The additions are expected to significantly strengthen the Navy’s operational capabilities, particularly in its ongoing fight against crude oil theft and piracy in the Niger Delta and Gulf of Guinea.
The new patrol vessels, NNS Shere, NNS Faro, and NNS Ikogosi, were acquired from Singapore and South Korea.
Each vessel is 38 metres long, with a five-day endurance, and is designed to patrol Nigeria’s littoral waters and the 24-nautical-mile contiguous zone.
They are built to enhance rapid-response enforcement, including hot pursuit operations when necessary.
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Also slated for commissioning are three AgustaWestland 109 Trekker helicopters, increasing the Navy’s air fleet to 14 aircraft.
These helicopters will provide aerial support for maritime patrols and bolster surveillance and interdiction efforts across the nation’s vast maritime environment.
The new assets will be formally inducted during Navy Week 2025, a weeklong celebration running from May 23 to June 1, featuring community outreaches, public ship tours, naval sports events, and a grand commissioning ceremony at NNS Beecroft, Apapa, Lagos on May 31.
Speaking at an international press conference held Monday in Abuja, Ibrahim Dewu, Chief of Policy and Plans at Naval Headquarters, described the fight against crude oil theft as the cornerstone of the Navy’s recent achievements.
He highlighted the success of Operation Delta Sanity, the anti-oil theft operation launched in January 2024 and reactivated in December as Delta Sanity II.
“In 2024 alone, we arrested 215 suspects and seized 26 vessels involved in illegal oil bunkering.
“We also deactivated 468 illegal refinery sites and recovered over 6.5 million litres of stolen crude oil and 7 million litres of illegally refined diesel”, Dewu said.
The Navy also dismantled 1,107 dugout pits, 279 storage tanks, and 361 wooden boats used in illegal refining activities.
“Since the beginning of 2025, an additional 103 illegal refinery sites have been destroyed, with 34 more suspects arrested and over 773,000 litres of crude oil and 150,000 litres of refined products recovered.
“These operations are aligned with the President’s directive to eliminate crude oil theft and increase national oil output. Our efforts are not just about security—they’re about economic survival,” Dewu stated.
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Supporting these efforts are two advanced surveillance systems, the Falcon Eye and Regional Maritime Awareness Capability platforms which enable the Navy to maintain 24/7 monitoring of Nigeria’s maritime domain.
These tools have been critical in early detection of illegal activity and rapid deployment of assets.
Dewu noted that these capabilities have helped Nigeria maintain its zero-piracy status on the International Maritime Bureau’s global ranking, a major milestone for both national security and international trade confidence.
The Navy has also taken the lead in regional collaboration, hosting the 8th Symposium of Gulf of Guinea Navies in Abuja in late 2024 and pushing for the establishment of a Combined Maritime Task Force.
He also noted that in February, Nigeria signed an agreement with the African Union to provide strategic sea lift for AU peace support and humanitarian operations, reinforcing the Navy’s continental role.
While the Navy celebrates its growth from a modest coastal patrol force in 1956 to a key player in West Africa’s maritime security landscape, Dewu emphasized that the 2025 Navy Week is focused on accountability and public engagement.
“Activities include medical outreach in host communities, interfaith services, a sailing competition, and ship visits across major naval commands in Lagos, Warri, Port Harcourt, and Calabar. The celebration ends on June 1 with a ceremonial sunset parade and dinner at Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island”, Dewu stated.
Dewu called on Nigerians and the media to support and publicize the Navy’s efforts.
“Our operations protect the nation’s economic lifelines. We remain committed to securing our waters and ensuring Nigeria reaps the full benefits of its maritime resources,” he noted.
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