Nigeria Navy recovers 52,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil in Rivers State

The Nigerian Navy has recovered an estimated 52,600 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, along with materials meant for illegal refining operations, in Rivers State.

This information comes from an operational report issued by the Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, and was released to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

Folorunsho said the operation was executed by personnel aboard the Nigerian Navy ship NNS PATHFINDER, as part of Operation DELTA SENTINEL.

He added that, acting on credible intelligence, patrol crews conducting routine anti‑crude‑oil‑theft operations intercepted two wooden boats positioned to offload suspected petroleum products at Ogoloma, in Okrika Local Government Area.

“A subsequent search revealed about 250 sacks containing approximately 52,600 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil,” he said.

He also noted that the patrol team recovered materials used to build illegal refining sites, suggesting that criminal actors were preparing to expand illicit refining operations in the area.

He said the operation disrupted another attempt by criminal elements to supply Nigeria’s illegal refining value chain, denying economic saboteurs the crude oil and equipment needed to sustain their operations.

Folorunsho further stated that the recovered products and related materials were handled in line with existing anti‑crude‑oil‑theft procedures.

According to the director of naval information, the successful operation underscores the navy’s sustained operational tempo in dismantling crude‑oil‑theft networks, disrupting illegal refining logistics, and safeguarding Nigeria’s critical oil and gas infrastructure.

He reaffirmed the navy’s commitment to maintaining intelligence‑driven operations and intercepting all forms of maritime economic sabotage in support of national economic security.