Navy Recovers 531,500 Litres, Arrests 18 Oil Theft Suspects in 3 Months
The Nigerian Navy has recovered 531,500 litres of illegally refined petroleum products and arrested 18 suspects linked to crude oil theft in the first quarter of 2026.
The Service said the achievements were recorded under Operation Delta Sentinel, a maritime security operation launched in January to combat oil theft and strengthen the protection of Nigeria’s maritime domain.
In a statement on Friday, the Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, said the Navy conducted over 183 successful operations between January and March across key areas in the Niger Delta.
He said the operations led to the recovery of large volumes of stolen petroleum products, with February recording the highest figure of 360,700 litres, followed by 118,800 litres in January and 52,000 litres in March.
Folorunsho noted that several major breakthroughs were recorded during the period, including the seizure of 45,000 litres of stolen products in Rivers State between January 20 and 23.
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He added that troops also intercepted an 18-tonne barge loaded with illegal products on February 13 and uncovered a 96,000-litre illegal wellhead in Bayelsa State on February 23.
In March, the Navy intensified operations across Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa states, leading to further recoveries and arrests.
“Notably, about 45,000 litres of crude oil were recovered at Alakiri River on March 14, while 44,000 litres of AGO were intercepted at Ogbologo on March 21, alongside the arrest of eight suspects,” he said.
The Navy spokesman said the operations also led to the dismantling of illegal oil infrastructure used for siphoning crude oil.
According to him, at least 12 illegal refinery sites, four storage facilities, three vessels and two illegal wellheads or pipeline connections were destroyed during the quarter.
He said the sustained operations were gradually disrupting the economic viability of oil theft in the region.
Folorunsho added that the Navy remained committed to protecting critical national assets and supporting increased oil production through intelligence-led operations.
“The Nigerian Navy will continue to strengthen inter-agency collaboration and sustain the tempo of operations to further degrade oil theft networks,” he said.
By PRNigeria
