The Nigerian Navy has uncovered a combined 75,000 litres of substance suspected to be crude oil in three dugout reservoirs within the Oteghele general area of Delta State.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho.
According to the statement, the discovery followed two separate operations conducted on 12 and 14 October 2026 under Operation DELTA SENTINEL by Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) DELTA.
The operations led to the discovery of approximately 30,000 litres of suspected crude oil in one reservoir on 12 October and a further 45,000 litres in two large reservoirs on 14 October. The reservoirs and their contents were handled in accordance with established procedures.
The Navy noted that the successive discoveries highlight the presence of concealed storage points that could facilitate the accumulation and onward movement of suspected stolen crude oil.
It added that uncovering the stockpiles disrupts a key link in the illicit petroleum trade and reduces opportunities for the unlawful exploitation of the nation’s oil resources.
“Through Operation DELTA SENTINEL, the Nigerian Navy has continued to uncover concealed petroleum stockpiles and disrupt infrastructure suspected of supporting crude oil theft,” the statement said.
“The Navy will sustain intelligence-led operations to identify and dismantle such facilities, constrain the activities of oil thieves and illegal refiners, and protect critical national assets, with the ultimate aim of curbing oil-related economic sabotage and safeguarding Nigeria’s petroleum revenue,” it added.