By Chimezie Godfrey
The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, recording major operational successes under Operation Delta Sentinel, with recoveries running into billions of naira.
The Navy disclosed this in a statement signed by the Director of Naval Information, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, on April 15, 2026.
According to the statement, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder led a series of intelligence-driven operations that disrupted large-scale illegal refining and crude oil storage activities across Rivers State.
“In one of the operations, personnel of NNS Pathfinder deployed anti-crude oil theft patrol teams to the Ndoni/Egbema general area, where a major illegal refining site was uncovered in Umoku, Ndoni,” the statement said.
It added that the site contained multiple dugout pits and locally fabricated refining ovens used for processing stolen crude oil.
The Navy said about 708,000 litres of suspected illegally refined petroleum products, including Automotive Gas Oil and Dual Purpose Kerosene, were discovered at the site.
It further revealed that approximately 310,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil were also recovered, with a combined estimated value exceeding N1.3 billion.
“The products were handled in accordance with extant operational procedures, while the perpetrators fled upon sighting the patrol team,” the statement noted.
In a separate operation, the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny, supported by naval air assets, uncovered and deactivated illegal crude oil storage facilities in Allison Community, Bonny Local Government Area.
The Navy said about 231,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, estimated at over N215 million, were recovered from the location.
The statement noted that between January and March 2026, the Navy had earlier recovered over 457,000 litres of stolen crude oil and refined products valued at over N600 million.
It also highlighted recent maritime interceptions, including the arrest of three vessels—MT MKPODU, MT WESTAF, and MT STELIOS K—loaded with over 900 metric tonnes of suspected stolen crude oil.
According to the Navy, the seizures translate to about 1.04 million litres valued at over N967 million.
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has approved a 90-day extension of Operation Delta Sentinel to sustain the momentum.
The Navy reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Nigeria’s oil infrastructure and tackling economic sabotage in the region.
Navy Busts Illegal Refineries, Recovers Oil Worth Billions in Rivers
