The Nigerian Navy has reported the deactivation of 22 illegal refining sites and the recovery of over 457,000 litres of stolen crude oil and refined petroleum products. These actions took place between January and March 2026 as part of Operation Delta Sentinel.
The official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Nigerian Navy disclosed these details on Saturday, April 18, outlining the first quarter activities of the operation. The initiative specifically targeted key oil-producing states, including Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom.
Operation Delta Sentinel is an anti-crude oil theft initiative by the Nigerian Navy. Its primary aim is to curb illegal oil refining, pipeline vandalism, and other related maritime crimes within the Niger Delta region.
Navy's Successes in Combating Oil Theft
Within the three-month period, the Nigerian Navy successfully deactivated 22 illegal refining sites. A significant seizure occurred on February 13 with the apprehension of the vessel MV Amukpoye. This vessel was found laden with 180 tons of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel.
Eight suspects were arrested in connection with the MV Amukpoye seizure. In total, across all operations during this period, 98 suspects were apprehended. Additionally, more than 98 dugout pits, utilized for illegal refining activities, were destroyed.
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, reiterated the Navy’s unwavering commitment to eradicating oil theft. He stated, “Nigerian Navy will sustain efforts to eradicate crude oil theft.”
Detailed Breakdown of Recovered Products
The operations resulted in the recovery of substantial volumes of stolen petroleum products. This included 204,650 litres of crude oil. Furthermore, over 106,150 litres of illegally refined diesel were recovered.
The Navy also seized more than 138,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) and 8,000 litres of kerosene. An additional 700 litres of condensate were also recovered during these anti-oil theft operations.
