The Nigerian Navy has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s goal of increasing crude oil production to 2.5 million barrels per day by 2027 through enhanced maritime security and inter-agency collaboration in the Niger Delta.
Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Central Naval Command, made the pledge during a courtesy visit by members of the United Correspondents Chapel (UCC) of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Bayelsa State Council, to the command’s headquarters in Yenagoa.
Rear Admiral Ibrahim said the Navy is working closely with agencies including the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) to curb oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and other forms of economic sabotage.
He highlighted Operation Delta Sentinel as a key initiative driving these efforts, noting that the Navy is deploying advanced surveillance tools, including unmanned aerial vehicles, to detect and respond swiftly to illegal activities.
The naval chief also called for a “whole-of-society approach,” urging the media to help raise public awareness on the economic impact of oil theft and the importance of secure, lawful oil production.
Earlier, UCC Chairman Amgbare Ekaunkumo described the relationship between the chapel and the Central Naval Command as cordial, commending the Navy’s role in promoting a safe maritime environment critical to Bayelsa State and national development.
In a related development, Rear Admiral Ibrahim performed the groundbreaking ceremony for a new Senior and Junior Ratings Mess in Yenagoa, a welfare project aimed at boosting personnel morale and productivity.
