By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerian Navy has linked its sustained crackdown on crude oil theft and the protection of critical oil and gas infrastructure to improved crude oil export earnings, as it recorded the recovery of more than 2.25 million litres of petroleum products in the third quarter of 2026.
The Navy said 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, according to provisional Balance of Payments statistics released by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The Service noted that sustained operations against crude oil theft, illegal refining, pipeline vandalism and other forms of economic sabotage had helped create a more secure environment for legitimate oil production and evacuation.
It, however, acknowledged that the improvement in export earnings reflected the collective efforts of the Federal Government, regulators, industry operators, security agencies, host communities and other stakeholders.
Under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, the Nigerian Navy intensified intelligence-led operations between July and September to disrupt criminal networks, protect oil and gas infrastructure and deny perpetrators the resources and operational freedom to sustain their activities.
During the period, the Navy recovered 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, bringing the total volume of recovered petroleum products to more than 2.25 million litres.
The operations also led to the rescue of 24 kidnapped persons, the arrest of more than 70 suspects, the seizure of four vessels and five boats, and the destruction of 14 boats linked to crude oil theft.
In addition, the Navy deactivated more than 88 illegal refining sites, 363 dugout pits, 20 reservoirs and 80 storage tanks. Eight refining ovens were destroyed, while arms, ammunition, outboard engines and seven vehicles and trucks were recovered.
The latest results build on the gains recorded in the first half of the year. 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.
In the second quarter, more than 580 intelligence-driven operations resulted 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 maintained that protecting the maritime environment and critical petroleum infrastructure remained essential to energy security and national economic prosperity, stressing that criminal networks involved in oil theft must be disrupted across the entire chain, from illegal refining and illicit pipeline connections to storage, transportation and distribution.
Beyond operational interdictions, the Navy called for faster investigations and diligent prosecution of suspects arrested for crude oil theft, illegal refining and other forms of economic sabotage.
It cited the recent conviction of nine crude oil thieves by the Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, as an example of the judicial outcomes needed to strengthen deterrence and prevent offenders from returning to criminal activities after arrest.
Under the strategic direction of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, the Navy said it would sustain intelligence-led operations and deepen collaboration with host communities and other stakeholders to protect national assets and suppress oil-related economic crimes.
