Navy recovers .5m litres of illegal PMS, destroys 12 refineries

The Nigerian Navy says it has intensified efforts to combat crude oil theft and illegal refining in the Niger Delta, recovering about 531,500 litres of illegally refined petroleum products and dismantling 12 illegal refineries during the first quarter of 2026. The Navy also destroyed four illegal storage facilities, three wooden boats and two illegal wellhead […]

The Nigerian Navy says it has intensified efforts to combat crude oil theft and illegal refining in the Niger Delta, recovering about 531,500 litres of illegally refined petroleum products and dismantling 12 illegal refineries during the first quarter of 2026.
The Navy also destroyed four illegal storage facilities, three wooden boats and two illegal wellhead and pipeline connections linked to crude oil theft operations across the region.
The operations were carried out under Operation Delta Sentinel, part of ongoing measures aimed at protecting Nigeria’s oil infrastructure and curbing economic sabotage in the maritime sector.
Operational data obtained by our Correspondent showed that naval personnel conducted raids on several illegal refining camps located in creeks and coastal communities known for crude oil theft activities.
During the raids, large volumes of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), crude oil and other petroleum products were intercepted, while equipment used for illegal refining was destroyed.
According to the report covering January to March 2026, the Navy recorded a total recovery of 531,500 litres of stolen and illegally refined petroleum products within the period under review.
The breakdown showed that about 118,800 litres were recovered in January, while recoveries rose significantly to 360,700 litres in February, the highest recorded in the quarter. In March, the Navy recovered about 52,000 litres of stolen products.
The report further revealed that naval operatives carried out about 183 successful operations across the Niger Delta, resulting in the arrest of 18 suspects involved in crude oil theft and related maritime crimes.
Among the major seizures recorded were the recovery of 45,000 litres of stolen petroleum products in Rivers State between January 20 and 23, the seizure of an 18-tonne barge in February, and the destruction of a 96,000-litre illegal wellhead in Bayelsa State during the same period.
The Navy added that separate operations conducted in May, outside the first quarter under review, led to the recovery of an additional 85,000 litres of crude oil and 78,000 litres of AGO.
A comparison with figures from the corresponding period in 2025 indicated a slight increase in product recoveries in 2026.
According to the operational data, crude oil theft reduced overall by 58 per cent in the first quarter of 2025, dropping from 12,000 barrels per day to about 5,000 barrels per day.
However, the Navy did not disclose the estimated monetary value of the recovered products and destroyed facilities.
Director of Information, Nigerian Navy, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said suspects arrested during the operations would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, to sustaining the fight against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering, noting that such activities continue to threaten the nation’s economy and environment.

“The CNS further warned individuals and groups involved in crude oil theft and illegal refining to desist or face the full weight of the law,” Folorunsho stated.