The Nigerian Navy has uncovered 119,850 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, 350 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil and 25 parcels of suspected Cannabis sativa at an illegal refining site in Ogbogolo Community, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The discovery was made on Thursday, September 17, 2026, by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH operating under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, following credible intelligence on the activities at the site.
According to the Navy, the suspected stolen crude oil was discovered in five dugout pits, while the suspected illegally refined AGO was recovered in six sacks.
The suspects reportedly fled the scene after sighting the naval personnel, with no arrest made during the operation.
The Navy said the recovered petroleum products and suspected illicit substances had been handled in accordance with extant regulations.
The latest operation came shortly after the conviction of nine crude oil thieves by the Federal High Court in Uyo following their arrest during a Nigerian Navy-led operation under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.
The Navy said the development underscored the growing impact of the operation, which combines sustained maritime and riverine interdictions with intelligence-led operations to disrupt crude oil theft and illegal refining activities across the Niger Delta.
It added that the successive operational successes and prosecution of offenders demonstrated the significance of sustained operations under the initiative.
According to the Navy, Operation DELTA SENTINEL is not only focused on recovering stolen petroleum products but also on degrading the infrastructure supporting the illicit trade and strengthening the process from detection and interdiction to prosecution and conviction.
“The successive operational gains and successful prosecution of offenders demonstrate the significance of the Nigerian Navy’s sustained efforts under Operation DELTA SENTINEL,” the Navy said.
The Navy reiterated its commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations against crude oil theft, illegal refining and other forms of criminality in Nigeria’s maritime and riverine environment.
