Navy smashes illegal oil network in three states, seizes ₦600m crude, diesel

The Nigerian Navy has dismantled a multi-state illegal oil network spanning Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states, seizing 371,000 litres of crude oil and diesel valued at more than ₦600 million, officials said Friday.

The seizures were made late Thursday, April 17, 2026, during coordinated raids under Operation Delta Sentinel, the Navy said in a statement signed by Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Naval Information.

In Rivers State, personnel from NNS SOROH raided the Egboama/Ogbogolo area of Ahoada West LGA along the Rivers–Bayelsa boundary.

Acting on intelligence, an Anti-Crude Oil Theft team carried out a land-water operation despite difficult terrain and uncovered multiple illegal refining sites.

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The sites contained dugout pits, ovens, reservoirs and storage tanks used for continuous illicit refining.

In total, the team found about 103,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and 190,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, or diesel.

Using conservative market rates, the Navy valued the crude at over ₦91 million and the diesel at over ₦342 million, putting the Rivers haul at more than ₦433 million.

In a separate operation in Delta State, NNS DELTA personnel uncovered a concealed storage facility near Bennett Island.

The site was linked to a buried pipeline through an improvised hose system.

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Troops recovered about 78,000 litres of suspected stolen crude valued at roughly ₦69 million and dismantled equipment used for siphoning.

All illegal refineries and storage facilities were destroyed on site.

Recovered products were handled under standard operational procedures, the Navy said.

Suspects fled when naval personnel arrived.

The Navy said the raids underscore its intensified crackdown on crude oil theft.

Operation Delta Sentinel was recently extended by 90 days to consolidate gains and further degrade criminal networks.

Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Idi Abbas commended participating units and directed the Commander Task Group, Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim, to intensify efforts to dismantle networks “bent on stealing our common patrimony.”

“The Nigerian Navy is committed to protecting Nigeria’s critical oil infrastructure, safeguarding the maritime environment, and securing the nation’s economic lifelines,” the statement said.