The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, has said that the Nigerian Navy has successfully turned the tide against pirates and other maritime criminals, leading to improved security in the nation’s waters and a boost in the nation’s oil production.

The Naval Chief made the disclosure on Friday when he commissioned new projects at the prestigious Nigerian Military School, Zaria, Kaduna State.

Ogalla, an alumnus of the Nigerian Military School Zaria, said the Navy had recorded “undeniable results” in its operations since he assumed command, stressing that Nigeria’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) had not witnessed a single incident of piracy since 2022.

He also said that piracy, crude oil theft, and illegal refining had long undermined Nigeria’s economic lifeline, threatening oil revenues and deterring investment in the maritime domain. But with enhanced operations, the Navy has reversed the trend.

He explained that the Navy launched Operation Delta Sanity, alongside joint operations with sister services and maritime stakeholders, to dismantle criminal networks and safeguard critical oil infrastructure.

He added that the fight against maritime insecurity was not only a military task but a national duty, as the protection of Nigeria’s oil assets directly impacts economic growth and national development.

Ogalla stressed that the successes were made possible by the dedication of naval personnel across formations, whose sacrifices at sea had restored sanity to Nigeria’s waters

He urged continuous vigilance, warning that criminal elements often adapt, and security forces must stay ahead through technology, training, and intelligence-led operations.