BY SOLOMON ABORISADE
Nigeria’s fight against crude oil theft and illegal refining recorded another significant operational milestone in the third quarter of 2026, as the Nigerian Navy recovered more than two million, two hundred and fifty thousand litres of petroleum products, rescued twenty-four kidnapped persons and arrested over seventy suspects under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.
The operation, which targets crude oil theft, illegal refining, pipeline vandalism and other forms of economic sabotage, also led to the seizure of vessels and boats, the dismantling of illegal refining infrastructure and the recovery of weapons and other items linked to criminal activities.
The Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement detailing the Navy’s operations between July and September. He said the results reflected sustained intelligence-led efforts to disrupt criminal networks, protect critical oil and gas infrastructure and secure the environment for legitimate economic activities.
According to the statement, the recovered products comprised over one million, five hundred and fifty-five thousand, nine hundred and eighty-three litres of suspected stolen crude oil; five hundred and ninety-five thousand, four hundred and seventy litres of Automotive Gas Oil; eighty-five thousand, six hundred and ninety litres of Premium Motor Spirit; and fifteen thousand, seven hundred and seventy-four litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene.
During the period, the Navy also seized four vessels and five boats, while destroying fourteen other boats linked to crude oil theft. More than seventy suspects were arrested, while twenty-four kidnapped persons were rescued.
The operation further resulted in the deactivation of eighty-eight illegal refining sites, three hundred and sixty-three dugout pits, twenty reservoirs and eighty storage tanks. Eight refining ovens were also destroyed, alongside the recovery of eight outboard engines, four firearms, more than one hundred rounds of ammunition and seven vehicles and trucks.
The third-quarter results built on earlier operational gains recorded since the beginning of 2026. In the first quarter, the Navy conducted more than one hundred and eighty-three operations, recovered over five hundred and thirty-one thousand, five hundred litres of illegally refined petroleum products and arrested eighteen suspects.
In the second quarter, the Service intensified its efforts, conducting more than five hundred and eighty intelligence-led operations. These resulted in the recovery of over four million, six hundred and ninety-eight thousand litres of suspected stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products, the arrest of more than ninety-one suspects and the dismantling of over forty-eight illegal refining sites.
Since Operation DELTA SENTINEL commenced in January 2026, the Nigerian Navy said it had disrupted more than two hundred and forty-one illegal refining networks and sites, recovered over seven million, four hundred and eighty-two thousand litres of suspected stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products, and arrested more than two hundred and thirty suspects.
The Navy noted that the sustained campaign against oil-related crimes was significant to Nigeria’s energy security and economic prospects. Provisional Balance of Payments statistics released by the Central Bank of Nigeria showed that crude oil export earnings increased from eight point eleven billion dollars in the first quarter of 2026 to nine point thirty-nine billion dollars in the second quarter, representing a fifteen point seventy-eight per cent increase.
While the improvement reflected contributions from the Federal Government, regulators, industry operators, security agencies, host communities and other stakeholders, the statement said the Navy’s efforts to suppress crude oil theft and protect oil and gas infrastructure had helped create a more secure environment for legitimate production and the evacuation of petroleum resources.
Beyond arrests and seizures, the Navy also stressed the importance of prosecution in securing lasting results. The statement cited the recent conviction of nine crude oil thieves by the Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, as an example of the judicial outcomes needed to strengthen deterrence.
It called for prompt investigations and diligent prosecution of suspects arrested for crude oil theft, illegal refining and other acts of economic sabotage, noting that timely prosecution would help prevent criminal networks from resuming their activities after arrest.
Under the strategic direction of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, the Nigerian Navy reaffirmed its commitment to intelligence-led operations and closer cooperation with host communities and other stakeholders to protect critical national assets and sustain maritime security.