OPERATION DELTA SENTINEL: NIGERIAN NAVY ARRESTS VESSEL ENGAGED IN ILLEGAL CRUDE OIL THEFT

PRESS RELEASE

OPERATION DELTA SENTINEL: NIGERIAN NAVY ARRESTS VESSEL ENGAGED IN ILLEGAL CRUDE OIL THEFT

The Nigerian Navy has recorded another significant operational success
under Operation DELTA SENTINEL with the successful interception and
arrest of a vessel suspected of fuel oil and crude oil theft within Nigeria’s
maritime domain. The operation, carried out in the early hours of Thursday,
23 July 2026, was based on credible intelligence from the Nigerian Navy’s
surveillance systems and sustained monitoring by Nigerian Navy
platforms under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.

Acting swiftly on intelligence, naval personnel intercepted the suspect
vessel MT FILIA at UTUE Terminal, Akwa Ibom, while allegedly involved
in the siphoning of stolen crude oil from an oil well terminal jacket.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the vessel was carrying an
estimated 32.82 metric tonnes of Fuel Oil and 650 metric tonnes of
crude oil without the requisite documentation or lawful authorisation.
Consequently, the vessel, its crew of 12, and the recovered cargo were
taken into custody for further investigation and possible prosecution in
accordance with extant laws.

Speaking on the operation, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi
Abbas, commended the professionalism, vigilance and commitment of the
personnel involved in the successful operation. He reaffirmed that the
Nigerian Navy remains resolute in its determination to eliminate crude oil
theft, pipeline vandalism and other forms of maritime criminality that
undermine Nigeria’s economic prosperity and national security. He further
noted that Operation DELTA SENTINEL, launched to combat crude oil theft
and associated economic sabotage, continues to deliver measurable
operational successes through persistent surveillance, intelligence-driven
operations and close collaboration with other security agencies and critical
stakeholders across the maritime sector.

You will recall that the Nigerian Navy, between April and June 2026,
recovered over 4.7 million litres of petroleum product, deactivated over 58
illegal refining sites, destroyed over 239 dugout pits and 13 refining ovens,
and arrested over 91 suspects connected to crude oil theft under Operation
DELTA SENTINEL. This feat coincided with the upsurge in national crude oil
production to 1.89 million barrels per day in July 2026, surpassing Nigeria’s
OPEC production quota.

The Nigerian Navy remains committed to supporting national efforts
to increase crude oil production, protect critical oil and gas
infrastructure, and maintain a secure maritime environment
conducive to economic growth. Members of the public are
encouraged to provide credible information that can assist the
Nigerian Navy and other security agencies in combating crude oil theft
and other maritime crimes.

Signed

ABIODUN FOLORUNSHO
Navy Captain
Director of Naval Information
Nigerian Navy