The Nigerian Navy has seized approximately 44,000 litres of suspected illegally refined petroleum products and arrested eight individuals in Rivers State, part of ongoing efforts to combat maritime crime in the Niger Delta.
The operation, conducted under “Operation Delta Sentinel,” targeted the Degema, Ogbogoro, and Ogbologo areas following credible intelligence about persistent illicit refining activities. Personnel from the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder deployed an anti-crude oil theft patrol team, which intercepted two wooden boats laden with Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). Eight suspects were taken into custody, while other armed accomplices fled the scene upon the naval team’s arrival.
All recovered products and detained suspects are in military custody and will be transferred to appropriate authorities for further investigation and potential prosecution. This action aligns with directives from the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, to intensify operations against crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, and other threats to Nigeria’s maritime domain.
The incident underscores the persistent challenge of oil theft, which continues to inflict severe economic damage. According to data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Nigeria lost about 37.6 million barrels of crude oil in 2021—an average of 102,900 barrels per day. Losses have declined in subsequent years but remain substantial: 20.9 million barrels in 2022 (57,200 bpd), 4.3 million barrels in 2023 (11,900 bpd), 4.1 million barrels in 2024 (11,300 bpd), and approximately 2.04 million barrels in the first seven months of 2025 (9,600 bpd).
Over the past two years, the Navy reported destroying more than 800 illegal refineries and recovering around 171,000 barrels of stolen crude oil. Operation Delta Sentinel continues to rely on intelligence-driven patrols and collaboration with other security agencies to safeguard Nigeria’s offshore and inland waterways.
The interception in Rivers State highlights the Navy’s sustained focus on curbing illegal refining networks, which fuel both economic losses and environmental degradation in the oil-producing region. Further legal proceedings against the arrested suspects are expected as part of a broader strategy to deter maritime economic crimes.
