During the second quarter of 2026, the Nigerian Navy successfully eradicated 48 unauthorized refining sites. The security force also took 91 individuals into custody for activities related to pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, and militancy. This crackdown resulted in the seizure of nearly 4.7 million litres of stolen crude and illicit petroleum goods.
Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the Director of Naval Information, stated in Abuja that these efforts fall under Operation Delta Sentinel. The initiative saw heightened activity between April and June 2026, building upon earlier progress. The campaign coincides with Nigeria reaching 1.735 million barrels per day in June 2026, surpassing its OPEC production quota by 104 percent.
More than 580 intelligence-led missions were launched across Lagos, Cross River, Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers states. Notable interdictions included the tankers MKPODU, STELIOS K, and WESTAF, which were accused of transporting over 900 metric tonnes of stolen cargo. In Ndoni, Rivers State, soldiers seized 708,000 litres of refined products and 310,000 litres of raw crude from a single location.
Naval forces destroyed various criminal infrastructures, including warehouses, dugout pits, fuel dumps, and illegal pipeline taps. Despite attempts by syndicates to reopen shuttered camps, continuous surveillance and patrols have hampered their operations. Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, the Chief of the Naval Staff, remains dedicated to securing maritime assets to help the government reach its goal of 2.5 million barrels per day by 2027.
