The Nigerian Navy has announced plans to deploy armed fighter drones to further enhance its fight against illegal oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta region.
This was revealed by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, during the flag-off ceremony of Operation Delta Sanity 2 at the Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder Jetty in Port Harcourt on Monday.
Vice Admiral Ogalla explained that the initiative was part of a broader strategy aimed at strengthening the fight against oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and other criminal activities in the region.
He highlighted that the deployment of these drones would target hard-to-reach areas where criminal activities often occur, which are difficult to access using traditional methods.
“In January 2024, the Nigerian Navy launched a Special Maritime Security Operation in the Niger Delta codenamed Operation Delta Sanity,” Ogalla said. “The special operation was designed to curb oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and other criminalities towards ensuring a secure maritime domain for increased economic activities in line with the President, Commander-in-Chief’s agenda for national economic prosperity and poverty eradication.”
Since its launch, Operation Delta Sanity has recorded several successes. These include the arrest of numerous vessels and suspects involved in illegal oil activities, the identification and deactivation of illegal refining sites, and an increase in Nigeria’s crude oil production. Ogalla noted that several oil companies had reported 100 percent terminal factor, which reflects the positive impact of the operation on legitimate oil production.
To further enhance the operation’s success, the Navy plans to incorporate more advanced maritime domain awareness infrastructure, aerial surveillance, and improved intelligence gathering to increase situational awareness.
Ogalla emphasized the importance of using armed drones to target areas that are otherwise unreachable.
“Some of these areas are so difficult to penetrate that even the smallest drones that we have cannot go to those places. Therefore, we require these armed attack drones so that when we are sure that this is where this activity is taking place, we can guide the drones to deactivate them,” Ogalla added.
The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, also spoke at the event, emphasizing the importance of the initiative in boosting oil production. He pointed out that under his leadership, Nigeria’s oil production had increased from barely one million barrels per day to 1.8 million barrels per day. The government’s target is to reach three million barrels per day by this time next year.
Lokpobiri expressed optimism that the fight against pipeline vandalism and oil theft would continue to improve, leading to an increase in Nigeria’s oil production and the overall economic prosperity of the country.
He also highlighted the importance of collaboration among security agencies to sustain the fight, with the Federal Government pledging to continue its support for the Navy and other security agencies.
Rear Admiral Saheed Akinwande, the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, also provided an update on Operation Delta Sanity’s successes. Since the operation’s inception, 215 suspects have been arrested, 468 illegal refinery sites have been deactivated, and large quantities of stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products have been seized.
The Navy has also deactivated 361 wooden boats, 1,107 dugout pits, and 279 storage tanks, while arresting 26 vessels.
Minister Lokpobiri concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to achieving the target of producing three million barrels of oil per day by 2025.
“The President has directed us to make sure we achieve this target. I see the target of three million barrels by next year as a reality,” he said.
With the deployment of armed drones and continued efforts from the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies, the Nigerian government aims to combat illegal oil activities in the Niger Delta and ensure the region’s economic stability.
