Nigerian Navy Seizes 80,000 Litres of Crude, Arrests Three Including Woman

In two separate operations aimed at combating crude oil theft, the Nigerian Navy recovered about 80,000 litres of crude oil. Working alongside the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), it also detained three suspected drug traffickers—a woman and two others—and confiscated illegal substances in the Niger Delta. Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Naval Information, announced this in a statement on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. According to the statement, the first operation by NNS DELTA on September 21, 2026, in the Oteghele area uncovered a sizable dugout reservoir holding approximately 30,000 litres of crude oil. A separate operation on September 23 found another 50,000 litres of crude oil in an expansive dugout reservoir in the Obodo Amadino area. The crude oil that was recovered was processed according to standard protocols. Separately, on September 22, personnel from NNS DELTA and the NDLEA carried out a joint operation targeting suspected illegal drug activities in the Warri area and nearby communities. That operation led to the apprehension of three suspects and the confiscation of about 15 kilogrammes of Cannabis sativa, 0.5 gramme of cocaine, and 0.5 gramme of methamphetamine (crystal meth). The suspects and the seized substances were transferred to the NDLEA for additional investigation and appropriate measures. “The combined operations demonstrate the Nigerian Navy's ability to address multiple dimensions of maritime and coastal insecurity, from crude oil theft and illegal petroleum activities to illicit drug trafficking, while leveraging inter-agency cooperation to disrupt criminal activity within its area of responsibility,” the statement added.