By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerian Navy has recorded significant operational successes in the first quarter of 2026 following the launch of Operation Delta Sentinel, a major maritime security operation aimed at combating crude oil theft and strengthening the protection of Nigeria’s maritime environment in the Niger Delta.
The operation, launched on January 13, 2026, replaced Operation Delta Sanity II and incorporates enhanced surveillance, improved intelligence coordination and a structured quarterly review mechanism, with an initial operational duration of one year.
In a statement issued by the Director of Naval Information, Abiodun Folorunsho, the Navy disclosed that within the first quarter of the year (January–March 2026), troops under Operation Delta Sentinel conducted more than 183 successful operations across key operational areas.
The operations led to the recovery of 531,500 litres of illegally refined petroleum products and the arrest of 18 suspects linked to crude oil theft and related maritime crimes.
According to the Navy, February recorded the highest recovery volume with 360,700 litres of petroleum products intercepted, followed by 118,800 litres in January and 52,000 litres in March, a development it said demonstrates sustained operational pressure on illicit oil activities in the region.
During the period under review, the Navy recorded several major operational milestones across the Niger Delta. Among them was the seizure of 45,000 litres of stolen petroleum products in Rivers State between January 20 and 23, 2026.
The Navy also intercepted an 18-tonne barge conveying illegally refined petroleum products on February 13, 2026, while troops discovered a 96,000-litre illegal wellhead in Bayelsa State on February 23, 2026.
Similarly, on March 5, 2026, naval operatives recovered about 34,000 litres of various petroleum products in a targeted operation within the maritime domain.
Further intensified operations in March were conducted across Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa states, particularly around Warri South-West, Oteghele Creek, Ogbe-Ijoh, Alakiri River and the Ogbia/Egbema/Ndoni axis.
Notably, naval personnel recovered approximately 45,000 litres of crude oil at Alakiri River on March 14, 2026, while about 44,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) were intercepted at Ogbologo on March 21, 2026, leading to the arrest of eight suspects.
Additional operations across several locations resulted in the recovery of petroleum products ranging from 4,000 litres to over 21,000 litres per site, while illegal wellheads, reservoirs and pipeline connections used for siphoning crude oil were discovered and dismantled.
The Navy stated that throughout the quarter, its forces systematically targeted illegal oil infrastructure across the region.
In total, at least 22 illegal refining sites, four storage facilities, three vessels or boats, and two illegal wellhead or pipeline connections were destroyed during the operations.
According to the Navy, there has also been a gradual decline in the estimated market value of recovered products, an indication that sustained naval operations are increasingly disrupting the economic viability of illegal oil refining and crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.
The service reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain, protecting critical national assets and supporting efforts to increase oil production in line with national economic priorities.
The Navy said the ongoing operations align with the strategic vision of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Idi Abbas, adding that the service will continue to deploy intelligence-led operations and strengthen inter-agency cooperation to further degrade oil theft networks operating within Nigeria’s maritime environment.
