Navy reaffirms war against oil theft, economic sabotage

Mkpoikana Udoma

Port Harcourt — The Nigerian Navy has restated its resolve to stamp out crude oil theft and economic sabotage in the Niger Delta, as officers and ratings of the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS, Pathfinder embarked on a 10-kilometre route march in Port Harcourt.

Leading the exercise, Commander of NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Cajethan Nnabuchi Aniaku, said the march was aimed at reinforcing the physical and mental readiness of naval personnel to tackle insecurity and criminality, particularly oil theft and illegal refining activities, which continue to undermine the region’s economy and the nation’s oil revenue.

“In line with the vision and mission of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, today’s second quarter route march is not just about fitness, it’s a show of strength and preparedness to defend our national assets, especially in the face of persistent oil theft,” Commodore Aniaku said.

He emphasized that the Navy was not relenting in its campaign to dominate Nigeria’s waterways and block criminal elements from sabotaging the economy.

“We are very committed and well prepared to dominate our waterways in Rivers State and deny criminal elements freedom to operate. We’ve been doing that, and we will sustain the momentum,” he said.

The exercise, which began at 6:00 a.m., saw personnel of the base, alongside sister security agencies, march from the Naval Base in Rumuolumeni through the length of Akar Road in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area and back; a symbolic movement through areas often troubled by illegal oil bunkering.

Commodore Aniaku used the occasion to commend participating personnel for their massive turnout and urged them to remain loyal and focused.

“I charge all personnel to remain dedicated to their duties and serve this nation with heart and mind,” he said, noting that the Navy’s operational alertness is critical in securing national infrastructure and boosting investor confidence in Nigeria’s oil and gas corridor.

The route march, held quarterly, is one of several confidence-building measures by the Navy to show operational readiness in combating illegal bunkering, pipeline vandalism, piracy, and other maritime crimes.

The Nigerian Navy has over the years increased patrols, surveillance, and inter-agency collaboration in the region. Despite efforts, oil theft remains a significant drain on national resources, costing Nigeria billions of dollars annually.

With renewed leadership and strategic vision, however, the Navy says it is strengthening both morale and presence to neutralize these threats.

“We are not just marching on the road. We are marching into every illegal refining camp, pipeline breach site, and creeks where enemies of our economy operate. We are sending them a clear message, we are here, and we are ready,” Aniaku colluded.

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