Navy Recovers 2.25m Litres of Petroleum Products in Q3

The Nigerian Navy has recovered more than 2.25 million litres of petroleum products and arrested over 70 suspects during its intensified operations against crude oil theft, illegal refining and other forms of economic sabotage between July and September 2026.

The operations, conducted under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, also led to the rescue of 24 kidnapped persons, the seizure of four vessels and five boats, and the destruction of 14 other boats linked to crude oil theft.

The Navy disclosed that the recovered products comprised 1,555,983 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, 595,470 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 85,690 litres of Premium Motor Spirit and 15,774 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene.

It added that its personnel deactivated more than 88 illegal refining sites, 363 dugout pits, 20 reservoirs and 80 storage tanks, while destroying eight refining ovens.

The operations also yielded eight outboard engines, four arms, more than 100 rounds of ammunition and seven vehicles and trucks.

The Navy said the achievements reflected its sustained efforts to dismantle criminal networks involved in the theft, processing, storage and transportation of illegally sourced petroleum products.

According to the Service, the third-quarter results built on gains recorded in the first half of 2026, when intelligence-led operations were intensified to protect critical oil and gas infrastructure and secure the environment for legitimate economic activities.

In the first quarter, the Navy conducted more than 183 operations, recovered over 531,500 litres of illegally refined petroleum products and arrested 18 suspects.

The tempo increased in the second quarter, with more than 580 intelligence-driven operations resulting in the recovery of over 4.698 million litres of suspected stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products, the arrest of more than 91 suspects and the dismantling of over 48 illegal refining sites.

Since Operation DELTA SENTINEL commenced in January 2026, the Navy said it had disrupted more than 241 illegal refining networks and sites, recovered over 7.482 million litres of suspected stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products, and arrested more than 230 suspects.

The Service noted that the operations were critical to strengthening the link between maritime security, energy security and national economic growth by disrupting the infrastructure and logistics supporting oil theft.

It also cited provisional Balance of Payments statistics released by the Central Bank of Nigeria, which showed that Nigeria’s crude oil export earnings rose from $8.11 billion in the first quarter of 2026 to $9.39 billion in the second quarter, representing a 15.78 per cent increase.

While acknowledging the contributions of the Federal Government, regulators, industry operators, security agencies, host communities and other stakeholders, the Navy said sustained efforts to suppress crude oil theft and protect oil and gas infrastructure had helped create a more secure environment for legitimate production and evacuation.

Beyond the recovery of petroleum products and arrests, the Navy stressed the need for successful prosecution of suspects to ensure lasting deterrence against economic sabotage.

It cited the recent conviction of nine crude oil thieves by the Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, as an example of the desired outcome of arrests made during the operations.

The Service called for swifter investigations and diligent prosecution of suspects arrested for crude oil theft, illegal refining and related offences, warning that delays could weaken deterrence and allow criminal networks to resume their activities.

Under the strategic direction of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, the Navy said it would sustain intelligence-led operations to dismantle oil theft networks and protect critical national assets.

It also pledged to strengthen cooperation with host communities and other stakeholders to deny criminal elements the freedom of action needed to sustain their illicit activities.