Uche Cecil Izuora
The Nigerian Navy has uncovered about 40,000 litres of
substance suspected to be crude oil in a large dugout reservoir during an
anti-crude oil theft operation in the Oteghele general area of Delta State.
The discovery was made by Nigerian Navy Ship DELTA (NNS DELTA) on
7 October 2026, following credible intelligence on suspected crude oil theft
and related illicit activities within its Area of Operations. The recovered
crude oil and the dugout reservoir were subsequently handled in
accordance with established procedures.
The latest operation adds to recent discoveries by NNS DELTA in the
Oteghele area, where 30,000 litres of suspected crude oil were uncovered
on 21 September 2026. The recurring interventions demonstrate the
Navy’s continued pressure on illicit crude oil storage activities and its
efforts to deny criminal operators access to petroleum resources.
The Nigerian Navy will continue to sustain intelligence-led operations
across its Area of Operations to disrupt crude oil theft and protect the
nation’s critical petroleum resources.