The Nigerian Navy has intensified its fight against crude oil theft and piracy, making major breakthroughs in securing Nigeria’s waters and the Gulf of Guinea. Over the past year, the Navy has seized 26 vessels, arrested 215 suspects, and dismantled 468 illegal refinery sites, dealing a significant blow to maritime criminals.
Speaking at the 2024 Naval Unit Abuja Socio-Cultural Activity, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla highlighted key achievements, including:
- Seizing 6.5 million litres of stolen crude oil
- Confiscating 7 million litres of illegally refined diesel (AGO)
- Deactivating 361 wooden boats, 1,107 dugout pits, and 279 storage tanks
These efforts have directly contributed to boosting Nigeria’s crude oil production from 1.418 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2023 to 1.8 million bpd in 2024, a 20% increase.
New Naval Assets to Strengthen Security
To further secure Nigeria’s waterways, the Navy has expanded its fleet with the induction of new assets, including:
NNS ZURU, NNS CHALLAWA, and NNS OCHUZO
Three Leonardo A109 TREKKA helicopters for aerial surveillance
New patrol boats deployed across operational bases
Global and Regional Security Efforts
The Nigerian Navy has also strengthened inter-agency and international partnerships, actively participating in military operations across the country and hosting key maritime security events, such as:
International Maritime Conference & Regional Maritime Exercise (May–June 2024)
8th Symposium of Heads of Navies of Gulf of Guinea Countries (November 2024)
Additionally, the Navy finalized the Combined Maritime Task Force for the Gulf of Guinea, a plan recently presented to the African Union (AU) by President Bola Tinubu to bolster regional security.
Sociocultural Harmony for National Security
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, commended the Navy’s contributions to security and emphasized the importance of collaboration among agencies. Represented by Mr. Olubiyi Sunday, Wike stressed the role of sociocultural harmony in tackling terrorism, banditry, and other security challenges.
The Naval Sociocultural Activity (NASA) 2024, a military tradition celebrating officers and their families, featured traditional dances, tug-of-war contests, and sack races, fostering camaraderie among security agencies.
Vice Admiral Ogalla urged officers and civilian staff to remain committed to protecting Nigeria’s maritime domain and securing the nation’s economic assets, aligning with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
