NIGERIAN NAVY RECOVERS 33800 LITRES OF PETROLEUM PRODUCT IN RIVERS AMID SUSTAINED ONSLAUGHT ON CRUDE OIL THIEVES UNDER OPERATION DELTA SENTINEL

Press Statement

26 September 2026

NIGERIAN NAVY RECOVERS 33800 LITRES OF PETROLEUM PRODUCT IN RIVERS AMID SUSTAINED ONSLAUGHT ON CRUDE OIL THIEVES UNDER OPERATION DELTA SENTINEL

The Nigerian Navy has recovered 33800 Litres of petroleum products amid sustained tempo under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, recording another success against crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta.

The operation led by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH, a unit under Operation DELTA SENTINEL. On Friday, 25 September 2026, Nigerian Navy operatives acting on credible intelligence discovered and deactivated 2 illegal refining sites at Ogbogolo Community in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State. The operation led to the recovery of about 28520 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 5,280 litres of stolen crude oil, totalling approximately 33800 litres of petroleum products. Also discovered were 48 sacks, 3 dugout pits, 2 kegs and 3 cooking drums used for the storage and processing of the products. The perpetrators fled the area on sighting naval personnel.

The latest operation is part of the sustained successes recorded under Operation DELTA SENTINEL and reflects the Nigerian Navy’s strategy of persistent surveillance, intelligence-led operations and targeted disruption of the infrastructure and networks that sustain crude oil theft.

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has directed formations and units to maintain the pressure on these criminal networks to deny them freedom of action, protect critical oil and gas infrastructure and create a more secure operating environment for legitimate economic activities in the Niger Delta.

Accordingly, the Nigerian Navy will continue to leverage its maritime domain awareness capabilities, credible intelligence and collaboration with relevant security agencies and host communities to consolidate these gains. These efforts are integral to the Navy’s contribution towards securing Nigeria’s energy resources, improving crude oil production and strengthening national economic security.

Abiodun FOLORUNSHO
Navy Captain
Director of Naval Information