Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship, SOROH, under the Central Naval Command, Operations Delta Safe, Navy Commodore Omobamidele Akinbami has assured that the Nigerian Military under the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa will achieve President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s statutory mandate of attaining two million barrels per day of crude production in the shortest possible time.
Commodore Akimbami stated this while briefing Defence Correspondents on a media tour to Operation Delta Safe in the oil-rich Niger Delta Region, expressing confidence that current efforts by the able leadership of the Nigerian Navy was geared towards checkmating the activities of pipeline vandalism, illegal bunkering, crude oil theft and other forms of maritime crimes were yielding amazing dividends.
Commending the gallantry of officers and men of NNS SOROH within his area of responsibility (AOR) where notable exploits and improvements in operational efficiency had been recorded, over 2 million litres of stole crude oil, 1,861,000 litres of illegal refined AGO, 130 wooden boats amongst others were deactivated and destroyed between May 2024 to April 2025.
He maintained that significant progress has been made in protecting critical oil infrastructure in the AOR, noting that some locations now maintained a pipeline protection rate of up to 99 percent at all times.
Attributing the strings of successes to his crop of disciplined, dedicated and professional personnel, as well as increased support from the defence and naval headquarters in Abuja,
Commodore Akinbami acknowledged that a few challenges still needed attention particularly navigating difficult terrain and the high cost of logistics for operations in the creeks. He however expressed confidence that ongoing efforts will aid the Navy to meet its national mandate.
The NNS SOROH helmsman reaffirmed the commitment of the force to continue to remain resolute and ensure the safety and security in their areas of responsibilities but he seized the opportunity of the briefing to warn unscrupulous elements still nursing the idea of conducting illegal activities in the region to desist or will be taken off the space.
In a related development, the Commander16 Brigade of the Nigerian Army and Sector 2 Commander, Joint Task Force South-South Operation Delta Safe, Brigadier General Oluremi Obolo, has reiterated the military’s commitment to protecting oil and gas infrastructure and eliminating criminal activities in Bayelsa State.
Brig General Obolo noted that Sector 2 of Operation Delta Safe, under the 16 Brigade, operates across difficult terrains, with 75 percent of Bayelsa State covered by water, added that troops remained deployed in key locations across the creeks to ensure uninterrupted production of oil and gas, while also preventing piracy, militancy, and economic sabotage.
Obolo emphasized that the recent increase in national oil output is largely due to sustained military operations in the Niger Delta, adding that the Brigade receives directives through the land component of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division and works in coordination with the Headquarters of Operation Delta Safe.
He also revealed that the Brigade was addressing issues of cultism and drug abuse within the Joint Operations Area.
