Navy Uncovers 10,000 Litres of Suspected Stolen Crude Oil in Delta

The Nigerian Navy has uncovered a dugout reservoir containing approximately 10,000 litres of substance suspected to be stolen crude oil in the Oteghele general area of Delta State.

The discovery was made on September 2, 2026, by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) DELTA during an anti-crude oil theft operation within its Area of Operations.

Director of Naval Information, Commodore Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement, saying the operation followed credible intelligence on suspected illicit petroleum activities in the area.

According to him, the naval personnel discovered the large dugout reservoir during the operation and subsequently handled the reservoir and its contents in line with established procedures.

He said the action prevented the suspected stolen crude oil from being further utilised for illicit activities.

Folorunsho said the latest operation was part of the Nigerian Navy’s sustained efforts to combat crude oil theft and illegal oil-related activities across the country.

He added that the operations were also aimed at denying criminal operators access to crude oil and the infrastructure used to facilitate its illegal exploitation.

The Navy has continued to intensify surveillance and anti-crude oil theft operations in the Niger Delta as part of efforts to protect the nation’s oil resources and curb activities capable of undermining legitimate petroleum production.