Oluwatobi Adu 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Nigerian Navy has recovered 119,850 litres of suspected stolen crude oil in Rivers State as part of ongoing operations against oil theft and other illegal activities in the Niger Delta.
The Navy said its personnel made the discovery on Thursday, September 17, 2026, during Operation Delta Sentinel along the East-West Road axis of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Navy said the operation led to the recovery of crude oil suspected to have been illegally obtained.
The recovery comes amid continued security operations aimed at disrupting oil theft networks and protecting Nigeria’s petroleum resources.
The Navy said the operation demonstrated its commitment to denying criminal groups access to the country’s natural resources for illicit gains.
“Operation Delta Sentinel remains focused on denying criminal elements the opportunity to exploit Nigeria’s natural resources for illegal gains,” the Navy said.
The operation forms part of broader efforts by security agencies to tackle crude oil theft and other illegal activities that affect oil production and government revenue in the Niger Delta.
Oil theft has remained a major concern in the region, with security agencies conducting operations to identify illegal refining sites, crude oil theft networks and other activities linked to the unauthorised exploitation of petroleum resources.
The Navy said it would sustain its operations against crude oil theft and related offences.
It also called for continued cooperation with relevant stakeholders to protect the nation’s oil resources and support efforts to curb activities that undermine the petroleum sector.
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Mirian Gom 
