Navy Uncovers 119,850 Litres of Suspected Stolen Crude Oil in Rivers

By Harriet Tornguvan 

The Nigerian Navy, under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, has uncovered 119,850 litres of crude oil suspected to have been stolen at an illegal refining site in Ogbogolo Community, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The operation also led to the recovery of 350 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 25 parcels of suspected Cannabis sativa.

The discovery was made on September 17, 2026, by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH following credible intelligence on activities at the location.

According to a statement signed by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the suspected stolen crude oil was concealed in five dugout pits, while the suspected illegally refined AGO was recovered in six sacks.

The statement said no arrest was made as the suspects fled upon sighting the naval personnel.

It added that the recovered petroleum products and suspected illicit substances had been handled in accordance with extant regulations.

The latest operation came shortly after the conviction of nine crude oil thieves by the Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, following their arrest during a Nigerian Navy-led operation under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.

The Navy said the successive operational successes underscored the growing impact of Operation DELTA SENTINEL, which combines sustained maritime and riverine interdictions with intelligence-led operations to disrupt crude oil theft and illegal refining activities across the Niger Delta.

The operation, according to the statement, is also targeting the infrastructure that supports the illicit petroleum trade while strengthening the process from detection and interdiction to prosecution and conviction.

The Navy further reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining operations aimed at protecting Nigeria’s oil and gas assets and curbing economic sabotage in the Niger Delta.