The Nigerian Navy’s *Operation Delta Sentinel* has dismantled 22 illegal refineries and arrested 98 suspects while recovering over 457,000 litres of stolen petroleum products in the first quarter of 2026.
The Nigerian Navy has deactivated 22 illegal refining sites and recovered over 457,000 litres of stolen crude oil and refined petroleum products during the first quarter of 2026. Disclosed via the Navy’s official social media on Saturday, the report details the activities of *Operation Delta Sentinel*, a specialized initiative targeting pipeline vandalism and maritime crime. The operations spanned the oil-rich corridors of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom states, successfully disrupting extensive local refining networks.
A significant highlight of the three-month crackdown was the February 13 seizure of the vessel *MV Amukpoye*, which was found carrying 180 tons of illegally sourced diesel. In total, naval operatives arrested 98 suspects and destroyed over 98 dugout pits used for illicit processing. The breakdown of recovered items including 204,650 litres of crude and 138,000 litres of petrol highlights a sophisticated value chain where stolen resources are rapidly converted into usable fuels for local black markets.
Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, reaffirmed the military’s resolve to sustain these efforts until crude oil theft is eradicated. This latest success follows a series of intensified raids, including the recent April 12 seizure of two vessels carrying stolen crude valued at over ₦4 billion. The Navy’s findings mirror reports from the Defence Headquarters, which noted that joint task forces under *Operation Delta Safe* destroyed an additional 101 illegal sites during the same period.