Navy Records Major Successes in Anti-Oil Theft Operations

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

The Nigerian Navy says it has recorded significant operational gains in the first quarter of 2026 under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, a maritime security initiative aimed at combating crude oil theft and protecting the nation’s maritime environment in the Niger Delta.

According to a statement signed by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operation, launched on 13 January 2026, replaced Operation DELTA SANITY II and integrates enhanced surveillance, improved intelligence coordination, and a quarterly review framework with an initial one-year mandate.

The Navy disclosed that between January and March 2026, it conducted over 183 successful operations, leading to the recovery of 531,500 litres of illegally refined petroleum products and the arrest of 18 suspects linked to crude oil theft and other maritime crimes. February recorded the highest recovery with 360,700 litres, followed by 118,800 litres in January and 52,000 litres in March.

It added that several key operations were carried out during the period, including the seizure of 45,000 litres of stolen products in Rivers State between 20 and 23 January, the interception of an 18-tonne barge on 13 February, and the discovery of a 96,000-litre illegal wellhead in Bayelsa State on 23 February. On 5 March, 34,000 litres of petroleum products were also recovered.

The Navy said its operations intensified in March across Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa States, with targeted raids in areas such as Warri South-West, Oteghele Creek, Ogbe-Ijoh, Alakiri River and the Ogbia/Egbema/Ndoni axis. These operations led to the recovery of significant volumes of crude oil and refined products, including about 45,000 litres at Alakiri River on 14 March and 44,000 litres of AGO at Ogbologo on 21 March, where eight suspects were also arrested.

It further stated that additional operations across various locations yielded recoveries ranging from 4,000 to over 21,000 litres, alongside the discovery and dismantling of illegal wellheads, reservoirs and pipeline connections used for siphoning crude oil.

The Navy noted that at least 12 illegal refinery sites, four storage facilities, three vessels or boats, and two wellhead or pipeline connections were destroyed during the quarter, adding that the declining market value of recovered products indicates that ongoing operations are disrupting the economic viability of illegal oil activities.

Reaffirming its commitment, the Service said it would continue intelligence-driven operations and strengthen inter-agency collaboration to combat oil theft, safeguard national assets and support increased oil production in line with national economic objectives.

Start the news with the Navy has recovered 531,500 little of illegally refined…

Nigerian Navy Recovers 531,500 Litres of Illegally Refined Products in Q1 Operations

The Nigerian Navy has recovered 531,500 litres of illegally refined petroleum products and arrested 18 suspects in the first quarter of 2026 under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, a maritime security operation targeting crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.

According to a statement signed by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operation was launched on 13 January 2026 to strengthen maritime security and replaced Operation DELTA SANITY II, with enhanced surveillance, improved intelligence coordination and a structured quarterly review mechanism.

The Navy said it conducted over 183 successful operations between January and March 2026, with February recording the highest recovery volume of 360,700 litres, followed by 118,800 litres in January and 52,000 litres in March.

It stated that key operations during the period included the seizure of 45,000 litres of stolen products in Rivers State between 20 and 23 January, the interception of an 18-tonne barge on 13 February, and the discovery of a 96,000-litre illegal wellhead in Bayelsa State on 23 February. On 5 March, 34,000 litres of petroleum prod