By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerian Navy has uncovered three dugout reservoirs containing about 25,000 litres of suspected crude oil in Delta State and recovered assorted substances suspected to be illicit drugs during separate operations targeting oil theft and drug distribution networks in the state.
The operations, conducted under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, also led to the arrest of 19 suspects in joint raids by the Navy and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Warri.
According to an official statement signed by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the crude oil discovery was made by Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) DELTA on October 21, 2026, at Obodo Omadino, Delta State.
The Navy said the three reservoirs and their contents were handled in accordance with established procedures, adding that the discovery disrupted a suspected storage point that could have facilitated the accumulation and onward movement of stolen crude oil.
In a related development, NNS DELTA and the NDLEA conducted two joint operations between October 19 and 22, arresting 19 suspects at locations suspected to have been used for the storage, sale and distribution of illicit drugs within the Warri area.
Items recovered during the operations included 10 cards of tramadol, 20 litres of Monkey Tail, 35 kilogrammes of cannabis, 18 kilogrammes of Colorado and other related substances suspected to be illicit drugs.
The suspects and recovered exhibits were subsequently handed over to the NDLEA Warri Area Command for further investigation and necessary legal action.
The Navy described crude oil theft and illicit drug distribution as distinct but serious threats to Nigeria’s economic security and public safety, reaffirming its commitment to intensifying intelligence-led operations against criminal networks in the Niger Delta.
It also pledged to strengthen cooperation with relevant agencies to disrupt illegal petroleum activities, tackle drug distribution and support the prosecution of offenders.
The statement urged members of the public to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to help identify criminal activities, protect national assets and enhance security across communities in the Niger Delta.
