The Nigerian Navy says it recovered 531,500 litres of illegally refined petroleum products and arrested 18 suspects in the first quarter of 2026 as part of intensified operations against crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.
The recoveries were made under Operation Delta Sentinel, launched on January 13, 2026, to strengthen maritime security and curb oil theft across the region. The operation replaced Operation Delta Sanity II and is supported by enhanced surveillance, improved intelligence coordination and a quarterly performance review mechanism.
According to a statement issued in Abuja by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the service conducted more than 183 successful operations within the period under review, leading to multiple seizures and arrests linked to illegal refining and related maritime crimes.
Monthly figures showed that February recorded the highest recovery of 360,700 litres, followed by 118,800 litres in January and 52,000 litres in March.
Among the key operations were the seizure of 45,000 litres of stolen petroleum products in Rivers State between January 20 and 23, interception of an 18-tonne barge on February 13, discovery of a 96,000-litre illegal wellhead in Bayelsa State on February 23, and recovery of 34,000 litres of petroleum products on March 5.
Operations were further intensified in March across Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa states, including Warri South-West, Oteghele Creek, Ogbe-Ijoh, Alakiri River and the Ogbia/Egbema/Ndoni axis. About 45,000 litres of crude oil were recovered at Alakiri River on March 14, while 44,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil were intercepted at Ogbologo on March 21, alongside the arrest of eight suspects.
The Navy also dismantled at least 12 illegal refinery sites, four storage facilities, three vessels and two pipeline or wellhead connections during the operations, disrupting key supply chains linked to crude oil theft.
It added that the estimated value of stolen products declined during the period, indicating reduced profitability of illegal activities in the region.
The service reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain and protecting national assets, noting that under the leadership of Idi Abbas, it would sustain intelligence-driven operations and strengthen inter-agency collaboration to combat oil theft across the maritime environment.
