By Miriam Humbe
The Nigerian Navy has uncovered approximately 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.
Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the Director Naval Information disclosed this in a statement signed on Wednesday.
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.
