The Nigerian Navy (NN) recovered 531,500 litres of illegally refined petroleum products in 183 operations across its key operational areas and arrested 18 suspects linked to crude oil theft and maritime related crimes in the first quarter of 2026 – January to March.

The successes were recorded under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, a maritime security operation launched on 13 January 2026 to strengthen the protection of Nigeria’s maritime environment and combat crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.

Operation DELTA SENTINEL replaced Operation DELTA SANITY II, and incorporated enhanced surveillance, improved intelligence coordination, and a structured quarterly review mechanism, with an initial duration of one year.

Giving the breakdown of the recovery, the Director of Naval Information, Navy Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, said monthly operational data shows that February recorded the highest recovery with 360,700 litres, followed by 118,800 litres in January and 52,000 litres in March, indicating ongoing pressure on illicit oil activities.

“These include the seizure of 45,000 litres of stolen products in Rivers State between 20 and 23 January 2026, the interception of an 18-tonne barge on 13 February 2026, the discovery of a 96,000-litre illegal wellhead in Bayelsa State on 23 February 2026, and the recovery of 34,000 litres of various petroleum products on 5 March 2026,” Folorunsho said.

He said that operations in March further demonstrated intensified efforts across multiple theatres, particularly in Delta, Rivers, and Bayelsa States, adding that targeted operations around Warri South-West, Oteghele Creek, Ogbe-Ijoh, Alakiri River, and the Ogbia/Egbema/Ndoni axis resulted in the recovery of substantial quantities of crude oil and illegally refined products.

“Notably, approximately 45,000 litres of crude oil were recovered at Alakiri River on 14 March 2026, while 44,000 litres of AGO were intercepted at Ogbologo on 21 March 2026, along with the arrest of eight suspects.”

Folorunsho said that throughout the period, the Navy systematically targeted and dismantled illegal oil infrastructure, including illegal refinery sites, storage facilities, vessels, and pipeline connections.

According to him, at least 12 illegal refinery sites, four storage facilities, three vessels/boats, and two wellhead or pipeline connections were destroyed.

He said that the gradual decline in the estimated market value of recovered products indicated that sustained naval operations progressively disrupted the economic viability of those illegal activities.

Folorunsho said the successes demonstrate the Nigerian Navy’s sustained operational reach and effectiveness across the maritime domain.

“The Service remains resolute in its commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain, protecting vital national assets, and increasing oil production to support national economic goals. In line with the vision of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, the Nigerian Navy will continue to conduct intelligence-led operations and strengthen inter-agency cooperation to further degrade oil theft networks within the Nigerian Maritime Environment.”