Nigeria Surpasses OPEC Quota as Navy Intensifies Anti-Oil Theft Operations, Recovers 4.7m Litres of Oil Products in Q2
The Nigerian Navy has recorded major operational successes under Operation DELTA SENTINEL during the second quarter of 2026, intensifying its campaign against crude oil theft, illegal refining, pipeline vandalism, militancy and other forms of economic sabotage across the Niger Delta.
The Service said the sustained operations coincided with Nigeria’s crude oil production rising to 1.735 million barrels per day in June 2026, representing 104 per cent of the country’s OPEC production quota and the highest production level recorded since April 2020, according to figures released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
Building on the gains of the first quarter, the Navy expanded intelligence-driven operations across Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Cross River and Lagos states, conducting more than 580 operational missions between April and June.
During the period, naval personnel rescued one kidnapped victim, arrested over 91 suspected criminals, intercepted three motor tankers and 11 boats, destroyed 58 illegal refining sites, dismantled 48 illegal storage facilities, uncovered 239 dugout pits, identified 17 illegal wellheads and pipeline connections, and established a forward security outpost to enhance operational effectiveness.
The operations also led to the recovery of more than 4.7 million litres of petroleum products, including over 2.38 million litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), more than 2.31 million litres of stolen crude oil, and over 6,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
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In addition, troops recovered 18 handheld radios, 328 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, improvised explosive device (IED)-making materials, industrial hoses, a pump-action gun, and several vehicles allegedly used to facilitate illegal activities.
Among the major breakthroughs recorded during the quarter was the arrest of the motor tankers MKPODU, WESTAF and STELIOS K, which were allegedly involved in the theft of more than 900 metric tonnes of suspected stolen crude oil.
The Navy also recovered over 708,000 litres of illegally refined petroleum products and 310,000 litres of stolen crude oil from a major illegal refining site in Ndoni, Rivers State.
It added that several intelligence-led operations dismantled reactivated illegal refining camps, intercepted illicit petroleum consignments and disrupted logistics networks supporting crude oil theft and other forms of economic sabotage.
According to the Service, the sustained operations have strengthened the security of critical oil and gas infrastructure, contributing to increased crude oil production and supporting the collective efforts of security agencies and stakeholders to safeguard Nigeria’s energy sector.
The Navy noted that its persistent presence across the nation’s waterways has continued to deny criminal elements freedom of operation, disrupt illicit petroleum supply chains and protect strategic national assets.
Reaffirming its commitment to maritime security, the Nigerian Navy said it would sustain intelligence-led operations and deepen collaboration with other security agencies in line with the vision of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, to support the Federal Government’s target of increasing Nigeria’s crude oil production to 2.5 million barrels per day by 2027.
By PRNigeria
