Nigerian Navy Recovers 2.25m Litres Of Petroleum Products In 3 Months

The Nigerian Navy has announced recovery of 2.25 million litres of petroleum products in three between July to September 2026.

A statement by the Naval Spokesman Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said the Nigerian Navy also deactivated over 88 illegal refining sites, 363 dugout pits, 20 reservoirs, and 80 storage tanks/reserviors within the period.

He said the service building on gains recorded in the first and second quarters of 2026, intensified intelligence-led operations from July to September to further disrupt criminal networks, protect critical oil and gas infrastructure and secure the operating environment for legitimate economic activities.

“During the Third Quarter, the Nigerian Navy recovered over 2.25 million litres of petroleum products, including over 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.

“The Navy also rescued 24 kidnapped persons, arrested over 70 suspects, seized four vessels, and seized four boats, while destroying 14 others for their involvement in crude oil theft.

The Nigerian Navy also deactivated over 88 illegal refining sites, 363 dugout pits, 20 reservoirs, and 80 storage tanks/reserviors,” he saidHe noted further that the Navy also destroyed eight refining ovens while eight outboard engines, four arms, over 100 rounds of ammunition, and seven vehicles/trucks were recovered from criminal elements within the period.

He said, “Collectively, the Nigerian Navy degraded the infrastructure, logistics, and freedom of action available to criminal networks involved in the theft, processing, storage, and transportation of illegally sourced petroleum products.”

The director said the third quarter achievements consolidate the operational tempo maintained since the beginning of the year. He stated that in the first quarter, the Nigerian Navy conducted more than 183 operations, recovered over 531,500 litres of illegally refined petroleum products, and arrested 18 suspects.

He said this momentum increased significantly in second quarter when 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 more than 48 illegal refining sites, among other successes.

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

He reiterated that these outcomes underscore the strategic nexus between maritime security, energy security and national economic prosperity, as the Nigerian Navy continues to attack the criminal ecosystem that enables crude oil theft, from illegal refining facilities and illicit pipeline connections to storage, transport and distribution networks.

According to him, the Provisional Balance of Payments statistics released by the Central Bank of Nigeria indicate that Nigeria’s crude oil export earnings rose from $8.11 billion in Q1 2026 to $9.39 billion in Q2,   a 15.78 per cent increase.

“While this improvement reflects the collective efforts of the federal government, regulators, industry operators, security agencies, host communities and other stakeholders, the sustained suppression of crude oil theft and the protection of critical oil and gas infrastructure by the Nigerian Navy have contributed significantly to these improved outcomes due to a more secure environment for legitimate production and evacuation.”

He said beyond interdiction, the Nigerian Navy recognises that sustained success in combating crude oil theft depends on converting operational achievements into successful prosecutions and appropriate judicial penalties.

He said the recent conviction of nine crude oil thieves by the Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, is the desired outcome for every arrest made under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.

“Against this backdrop, the Nigerian Navy advocates swifter investigations and diligent prosecution of persons arrested for crude oil theft, illegal refining and acts of economic sabotage. Timely prosecution is essential to strengthen deterrence and ensure that criminal networks do not view arrest as merely a temporary disruption to their activities,” he added.

He reassured that the Nigerian Navy under the strategic direction of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas will continue to sustain intelligence-led operations to dismantle crude oil theft networks and protect critical national assets.

“The Nigerian Navy will equally continue to strengthen cooperation with host communities and other relevant stakeholders whose support remains vital to denying criminal elements the freedom of action required to sustain illicit activities,” he said