Linus Aleke in Abuja
The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on oil thieves, as troops of Operation Delta Sentinel uncovered three dugout reservoirs containing a complete of 75,000 litres of crude oil within the Oteghele common space of Delta State. The discoveries adopted two separate operations performed on 12 and 14 October 2026.
The Service mentioned the operations, carried out by Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta, led to the invention of roughly 30,000 litres of suspected crude oil in a single reservoir on 12 October and an extra 45,000 litres in two giant reservoirs on 14 October.
According to a press release by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the reservoirs and their contents had been dealt with in accordance with established procedures.
“The successive discoveries spotlight the presence of hid storage factors that might facilitate the buildup and onward motion of suspected stolen crude oil.
“Uncovering these stockpiles disrupts a key hyperlink within the illicit petroleum commerce and reduces alternatives for the illegal exploitation of the nation’s oil assets.
“Through Operation Delta Sentinel, the Nigerian Navy has continued to uncover concealed petroleum stockpiles and disrupt infrastructure suspected of supporting crude oil theft,” Captain Folorunsho mentioned.
He burdened that the Navy would maintain intelligence-led operations to establish and dismantle such amenities, constrain the actions of oil thieves and unlawful refiners, and shield vital nationwide property. The final purpose, he added, was to curb oil-related financial sabotage and safeguard Nigeria’s petroleum income.
