By Tunji Braimoh, Abuja

The Nigerian Navy has recorded another major breakthrough in its ongoing campaign against crude oil theft and illegal refining in the Niger Delta, recovering 119,850 litres of crude oil suspected to have been stolen during an operation in Rivers State.

The recovery was made under Operation Delta Sentinel on September 17, 2026, when personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH, acting on credible intelligence, uncovered an illegal refining site in Ogbogolo Community, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State. During the operation, naval personnel discovered 119,850 litres of suspected stolen crude oil stored in five dugout pits.

The operatives also recovered 350 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) contained in six sacks, as well as 25 parcels of suspected Cannabis sativa. However, no arrests were made as the suspects reportedly fled the area upon sighting the naval personnel.

According to the Navy, all recovered petroleum products and suspected illicit substances were handled in line with existing regulations and operational procedures.

The latest success follows the recent conviction of nine crude oil thieves by the Federal High Court in Uyo. The suspects were arrested during a Nigerian Navy-led operation conducted under Operation Delta Sentinel, underscoring the effectiveness of the Navy’s intelligence driven strategy in combating crude oil theft and illegal refining activities across the Niger Delta region.

The Nigerian Navy said the sustained operational successes and successful prosecution of offenders demonstrate the impact of Operation Delta Sentinel in protecting the nation’s oil assets. Beyond recovering stolen petroleum products, the operation continues to dismantle illegal refining infrastructure, disrupt criminal networks and strengthen the process of detection, interdiction, prosecution and conviction of offenders involved in economic sabotage.