Nigerian Navy Recovers 4M Litres of Stolen Crude Oil

The Nigerian Navy reported significant operational success in combating crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta, recovering 4.698 million litres of stolen crude oil and arresting 91 suspects between April and June 2026. Captain Abiodun Folorusho disclosed that these operations were part of a sustained offensive against economic sabotage.

The Nigerian Navy conducted 580 intelligence-driven operations across various states, dismantling 48 illegal refining sites and intercepting multiple vessels involved in oil theft. Notably, a motor tanker named MKpodu Westaf was involved in the theft of 900 metric tons of suspected stolen crude oil.

The operations coincided with Nigeria's crude oil production reaching 1.735 million barrels per day in June 2026, exceeding the OPEC quota by 104%. The Navy aims to continue its efforts to degrade oil theft networks and enhance security around critical oil infrastructure, supporting the federal government's goal of reaching 2.5 million barrels per day by 2027.