Nigerian Navy Recovers 80,000 Litres of Crude Oil, Arrests Three in Delta Anti-Drug Operation
The Nigerian Navy has recovered approximately 80,000 litres of crude oil and, in a separate joint operation with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), arrested three suspected drug traffickers in Delta State.
The operations, conducted under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, were carried out between September 21 and 23, 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt crude oil theft, illegal petroleum activities and illicit drug trafficking within the Navy’s area of responsibility.
In the first operation on September 21, personnel of NNS DELTA discovered a large dugout reservoir containing approximately 30,000 litres of crude oil in the Oteghele general area.
Two days later, on September 23, another operation in the Obodo Amadino general area led to the discovery of a second dugout reservoir containing approximately 50,000 litres of crude oil.
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The Navy said the recovered crude oil was handled in accordance with established procedures.
In a related operation on September 22, personnel of NNS DELTA, working in collaboration with the NDLEA, conducted an operation against suspected illicit drug activities in Warri and its environs.
The operation resulted in the arrest of three suspects and the seizure of approximately 15 kilogrammes of Cannabis sativa, 0.5 gramme of cocaine and 0.5 gramme of methamphetamine, popularly known as crystal meth.
The suspects and recovered illicit substances were subsequently handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and necessary action.
The Nigerian Navy said the combined operations demonstrated its capacity to tackle multiple dimensions of maritime and coastal insecurity, including crude oil theft, illegal petroleum activities and illicit drug trafficking.
It also highlighted the importance of inter-agency cooperation in disrupting criminal networks and strengthening security within Nigeria’s coastal and maritime environment.
