Nigerian Navy Achieves Zero Piracy, Secures Convictions

Between November 2025 and November 2026, the Nigerian Navy achieved a zero-piracy status and secured nine convictions for crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism. The Navy deactivated 168 illegal refining sites, destroyed 363 dugout pits, arrested 259 suspects, and seized four vessels linked to crude oil theft.

Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the Director of Naval Information, announced these achievements while marking Vice Admiral Idi Abba's first year as Chief of the Naval Staff. The Navy recovered over 7.48 million litres of stolen crude oil and illegal petroleum products.

A significant operational initiative, Operation Delta Sentinel, was activated in January 2026 to combat maritime crimes. Additionally, three high-speed patrol vessels were commissioned in June 2026 to enhance maritime surveillance.

The Navy also advanced infrastructure development, including a 200-bed Reference Hospital in Abuja, and completed over 93 community development projects, such as solar-powered boreholes and healthcare centres. Furthermore, the Navy graduated its first batch of 328 Marines to reinforce operations against asymmetric threats.