Nigerian Navy Cracks Down on Crude Oil Theft with Operation Delta Sentinel
The Nigerian Navy's Operation Delta Sentinel has seen significant results in its fight against crude oil theft. Between April and June 2026, over 580 operations were conducted, resulting in the arrest of 91 suspects, destruction of 58 illegal refining sites, and recovery of 4.7 million litres of stolen petroleum products.
The operation's success can be attributed to intelligence-led operations and sustained military pressure across the Niger Delta and beyond. Naval personnel have been working tirelessly to dismantle the infrastructure that enables crude oil theft, including destroying 13 refining ovens and deactivating 239 dugout pits.
Operation Delta Sentinel has also seen a significant increase in recoveries of stolen petroleum products, with approximately 4.7 million litres recovered during the quarter. This includes 2.31 million litres of stolen crude oil, 2.38 million litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and more than 6,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
The operation's success has also been linked to an improvement in Nigeria's crude oil production.