The Nigerian Navy has recovered 119,850 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, 350 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil and 25 parcels of suspected cannabis sativa from an illegal refining site in Ogbogolo Community, Ahoada West LGA of Rivers State, as part of the ongoing Operation DELTA SENTINEL.
Director Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, who disclosed the development in a statement on Friday, said the personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH made the discovery on 17 September 2026 after acting on credible intelligence.
The suspected stolen crude was found in five dugout pits, while the illegally refined AGO was recovered in six sacks. The suspects fled before naval personnel could arrest them, and all recovered items were handled according to extant regulations.
The seizure follows closely on the conviction of nine crude oil thieves by the Federal High Court in Uyo, who were arrested during an earlier Nigerian Navy-led operation under the same initiative.
Officials say the back-to-back results reflect the growing impact of Operation DELTA SENTINEL, which pairs sustained maritime and riverine patrols with intelligence-led action to curb crude oil theft and illegal refining across the Niger Delta.
Beyond recovering stolen products, the Navy says the operation is steadily weakening the infrastructure behind the illicit trade, reinforcing the link between detection, interdiction, prosecution and conviction.
