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In its efforts to rid the Niger Delta of illegal oil dealings, men of the Nigerian Navy under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, have arrested eight suspected oil thieves with 44,000 litres of illegally refined petroleum products.
The suspected oil thieves were apprehended in the Degema/Ogbogoro /Ogbologo general areas of Rivers State.
Disclosing this in Abuja on Sunday, 22nd March, 2026, the Director of Information (DINFO), Nigerian Navy, Captain Abiodun Abidemi Folorunsho explained that the arrest became possible while acting on intelligence on ongoing illicit activities within the area.
He noted that the personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER deployed an Anti-Crude Oil Theft patrol team which led to the interception of two wooden boats laden with about 44,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
The operation also resulted in the arrest of eight suspects linked to the illegal activity, while additional armed accomplices fled the scene upon sighting the naval patrol team.
The arrested suspects and recovered products are currently in custody and would be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and prosecution.
The Nigerian Navy, has again, reiterated its commitment, noting that the success aligns with the directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, who has charged operational commanders to intensify efforts against crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other maritime crimes across the nation’s maritime domain.
He further added that the Service remains committed to sustaining the operational tempo of Operation DELTA SENTINEL through intelligence-driven operations, enhanced patrols and inter-agency collaboration to safeguard Nigeria’s critical national assets and economic interests.
