The Joint Task Force (JTF) South-South, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), has intercepted vessels carrying a large volume of suspected illegal crude oil.
According to information made available to Naija News, the illegal crude oil intercepted by security forces is estimated to be worth $300 million.
This represents an intensified crackdown on illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta, with the task force recently achieving major successes in seizing stolen crude oil and dismantling illegal refineries.
According to the NTA, authorities are currently processing the vessels and suspects to determine the full origin of the suspected cargo.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Navy has recovered 531,500 litres of illegally refined petroleum products in 183 operations across its key operational areas and arrested 18 suspects linked to crude oil theft and maritime-related crimes in the first quarter of 2026.
The successes were recorded under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, a maritime security operation launched on 13 January 2026 to strengthen the protection of Nigeria’s maritime environment and combat crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.
This development was made known in a statement on Friday by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho.
He explained that monthly operational data shows that February recorded the highest recovery with 360,700 litres, followed by 118,800 litres in January and 52,000 litres in March, indicating ongoing pressure on illicit oil activities.
“These include the seizure of 45,000 litres of stolen products in Rivers State between 20 and 23 January 2026, the interception of an 18-tonne barge on 13 February 2026, the discovery of a 96,000-litre illegal wellhead in Bayelsa State on 23 February 2026, and the recovery of 34,000 litres of various petroleum products on 5 March 2026,” Folorunsho said.
The Navy spokesperson said targeted operations around Warri South-West, Oteghele Creek, Ogbe-Ijoh, Alakiri River, and the Ogbia/Egbema/Ndoni axis resulted in the recovery of substantial quantities of crude oil and illegally refined products.
“Notably, approximately 45,000 litres of crude oil were recovered at Alakiri River on 14 March 2026, while 44,000 litres of AGO were intercepted at Ogbologo on 21 March 2026, along with the arrest of eight suspects,” he added.
Folorunsho disclosed that during the period under review, the Navy systematically targeted and dismantled illegal oil infrastructure, including illegal refinery sites, storage facilities, vessels, and pipeline connections.
According to him, at least 12 illegal refinery sites, four storage facilities, three vessels/boats, and two wellhead or pipeline connections were destroyed.
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