OPERATION DELTA SENTINEL: NIGERIAN NAVY DISRUPTS CRUDE OIL THEFT NETWORK, RECOVERS 93,000 LITRES OF SUSPECTED STOLEN CRUDE IN BONNY

PRESS STATEMENT

_20 August 2026_

OPERATION DELTA SENTINEL: NIGERIAN NAVY DISRUPTS CRUDE OIL THEFT NETWORK, RECOVERS 93,000 LITRES OF SUSPECTED STOLEN CRUDE IN BONNY

_The Nigerian Navy has sustained its efforts to disrupt crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, with the discovery and deactivation of suspected crude oil storage infrastructure containing approximately 93,000 litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil around Allison Community in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State._

_The operation was conducted by personnel of Forward Operating Base (FOB) BONNY on 20 August 2026, following actionable intelligence on suspected illegal crude oil storage activities within the area._

_The operation led to the discovery of 10 dugout pits, five of which contained an estimated 93,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, while the remaining five pits were filled with water. A substantial quantity of hoses associated with the movement and transfer of crude oil was also discovered within the area._

_The recovered products, dugout pits and associated materials were handled in accordance with established operational procedures. The action effectively disrupted suspected crude oil theft activities and denied criminal elements access to facilities and materials required to sustain the illicit trade._

_The latest success underscores the Nigerian Navy’s sustained operational pressure against the infrastructure supporting crude oil theft in the Niger Delta. It further demonstrates the Service’s commitment to identifying and disrupting the networks that facilitate the illegal exploitation of Nigeria’s natural resources._

_The Nigerian Navy remains resolute in sustaining Operation DELTA SENTINEL to protect critical national assets, safeguard Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure and deny economic saboteurs the freedom to operate within the nation’s maritime environment._

*Signed*

*ABIODUN FOLORUNSHO*
_Navy Captain_
_Director Naval Information_
_Nigerian Navy_