The Nigerian Navy has uncovered a large dugout reservoir containing approximately 10,000 litres of substance suspected to be stolen crude oil in the Oteghele general area of Delta State.
The discovery was made on September 2, 2026, by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) DELTA during an anti-crude oil theft operation within its Area of Operations.
According to the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operation followed credible intelligence on suspected illicit petroleum activities in the area
Folorunsho said the reservoir and its contents were subsequently handled in accordance with established procedures, thereby preventing the suspected stolen crude oil from being further used for illicit activities.
The Navy said the operation forms part of its sustained efforts to disrupt crude oil theft and deny criminal operators access to crude oil and infrastructure used to facilitate its illegal exploitation.
The latest discovery underscores the Navy’s continued enforcement operations aimed at protecting Nigeria’s oil resources and curbing activities linked to crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.
