Nigerian Navy has recovered more than 2.25 million litres of petroleum products and rescued 24 kidnapped persons during operations against oil theft and illegal refining activities between July and September 2026.
The operations also led to the arrest of over 70 suspects, seizure of four vessels and five boats, and destruction of 14 boats linked to criminal activities.
The Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement on the Navy’s third-quarter operational achievements.
He said the recovered products included 1.55 million litres of suspected stolen crude oil, 595,470 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), 85,690 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and 15,774 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK).
The Navy also dismantled 88 illegal refining sites, destroyed eight refining ovens and deactivated hundreds of illegal storage facilities used by oil thieves.
According to the statement, 363 dugout pits, 20 reservoirs and 80 storage tanks were destroyed, while seven vehicles, four arms, ammunition and eight outboard engines were recovered.
The latest achievement formed part of the ongoing Operation DELTA SENTINEL, which began in January 2026 to tackle crude oil theft and illegal refining networks.
The Navy said its operations in the first nine months of 2026 resulted in the recovery of more than 7.482 million litres of petroleum products, disruption of over 241 illegal refining sites and arrest of more than 230 suspects.
It added that nine crude oil thieves had been convicted by the Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, as part of efforts to ensure that arrested suspects face justice.
The Navy linked the fight against oil theft to protecting Nigeria’s oil resources and supporting the country’s economic growth, noting that crude oil export earnings increased between the first and second quarters of 2026.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, said the service would continue to target illegal refining sites and criminal networks involved in the theft and transportation of petroleum products.
The Navy’s latest operations show the continued pressure on oil thieves, but sustaining the gains will depend on stronger enforcement, successful prosecution and preventing illegal networks from returning
