The Nigerian Navy has thrown its weight behind efforts to ramp up Nigeria's crude oil output, with the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, promising stronger naval backing for oil-producing companies working to protect the country's petroleum infrastructure. This is according to a press statement available to WION and was signed by Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Naval Information, Nigerian Navy.&nbsp;Vice Admiral Abbas made the pledge while hosting a delegation from the Security Sub-Committee of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) at the Naval Headquarters in Abuja. The delegation was led by the sub-committee's chairman, Johnson Ogbum. The meeting zeroed in on how to tighten security around oil production facilities, remote assets, and export terminals, with a particular focus on curbing crude oil theft, third-party interference, and threats to offshore and near-shore infrastructure. The OPTS delegation used the opportunity to push for more naval patrols in high-risk maritime zones and stronger security cover for the movement of petroleum products.&nbsp;In his response, Vice Admiral Abbas reassured the delegation of the Navy's continued commitment to securing Nigeria's maritime space and safeguarding assets considered critical to the national economy. He pointed to ongoing naval operations as a key driver behind the decline in crude oil theft recorded in recent times, while emphasising that closer intelligence-sharing between the Navy and oil companies remains crucial to staying ahead of emerging threats.&nbsp;The Naval Chief also flagged technology as a growing pillar of maritime surveillance and patrol efficiency, and assured the delegation that their requests would be reviewed and acted upon in line with identified security needs and formal applications from affected companies. The Naval Headquarters meeting underscored the Navy's broader mandate of maintaining a secure maritime environment, one that supports higher crude oil output while protecting infrastructure critical to the economy, and signals a deepening of ties between the military and stakeholders across Nigeria's oil and gas sector.

Nigeria Navy chief Vice Admiral Idi Abbas pledges stronger security for oil companies, maritime patrols and petroleum infrastructure to boost crude output

The Nigerian Navy has thrown its weight behind efforts to ramp up Nigeria's crude oil output, with the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, promising stronger naval backing for oil-producing companies working to protect the country's petroleum infrastructure. This is according to a press statement available to WION and was signed by Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Naval Information, Nigerian Navy. Vice Admiral Abbas made the pledge while hosting a delegation from the Security Sub-Committee of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) at the Naval Headquarters in Abuja. The delegation was led by the sub-committee's chairman, Johnson Ogbum. The meeting zeroed in on how to tighten security around oil production facilities, remote assets, and export terminals, with a particular focus on curbing crude oil theft, third-party interference, and threats to offshore and near-shore infrastructure. The OPTS delegation used the opportunity to push for more naval patrols in high-risk maritime zones and stronger security cover for the movement of petroleum products. In his response, Vice Admiral Abbas reassured the delegation of the Navy's continued commitment to securing Nigeria's maritime space and safeguarding assets considered critical to the national economy. He pointed to ongoing naval operations as a key driver behind the decline in crude oil theft recorded in recent times, while emphasising that closer intelligence-sharing between the Navy and oil companies remains crucial to staying ahead of emerging threats. The Naval Chief also flagged technology as a growing pillar of maritime surveillance and patrol efficiency, and assured the delegation that their requests would be reviewed and acted upon in line with identified security needs and formal applications from affected companies. The Naval Headquarters meeting underscored the Navy's broader mandate of maintaining a secure maritime environment, one that supports higher crude oil output while protecting infrastructure critical to the economy, and signals a deepening of ties between the military and stakeholders across Nigeria's oil and gas sector.

Nigeria Navy chief Vice Admiral Idi Abbas pledges stronger security for oil facilities, maritime assets and export terminals to support higher crude output

Nigeria Navy moves to boost oil security, tackle crude theft and infrastructure threats

The Nigerian Navy has struck another blow against the country's illicit petroleum trade, uncovering a warehouse stocked with roughly 10,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in the Eleme Express area of Rivers State.&nbsp;The seizure was made on 12 September 2026 by personnel aboard NNS PATHFINDER during a routine anti-crude oil theft patrol covering the Eleme–Okrika–Onne axis, a corridor long associated with illegal refining and product smuggling activities in the Niger Delta.&nbsp;&nbsp;In a press statement signed by Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Naval Information, Nigerian Navy and made available to WION correspondent Louisa Olaniyi on Monday, Naval officers found the product neatly packed into 400 jerrycans, each holding 25 litres, suggesting the site functioned not as a refining location but as a storage and distribution hub. Investigators believe the fuel was sourced from elsewhere and moved to the warehouse to await onwards sale to buyers within the local black market.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/westminster-s-time-is-coming-to-an-end-say-welsh-scottish-northern-irish-leaders-at-cardiff-summit-1789394988871">‘Westminster’s time is coming to an end,’ say Welsh, Scottish, Northern Irish leaders at Cardiff summit</a>&nbsp;Notably, no illegal refining equipment or site was found at the premises, reinforcing the theory that the facility served purely as a logistics point in the wider supply chain.Naval authorities say the operation’s real significance lies beyond the volume recovered. By dismantling this storage point, the Navy has cut off a key link that illicit operators depend on to move stolen and illegally refined products to market. Officials describe such facilities as the "commercial backbone" of the illegal refining trade, arguing that disrupting them is just as critical as shutting down refining camps themselves.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tech-stocks-fall-after-ai-bosses-call-for-a-slowdown-in-reckless-progress-1789387989365">Tech stocks fall after AI bosses call for a slowdown in ‘reckless’ progress</a>&nbsp;No arrests were made, as suspected operators fled the scene upon sighting the approaching naval team. The recovered products have since been processed in line with standard anti-crude oil theft protocols.The operation forms part of the Nigerian Navy's sustained campaign against crude oil theft and illegal refining across the Niger Delta, an effort officials say remains central to safeguarding the nation's petroleum resources and curbing environmental degradation linked to artisanal refining.

Naval officers found the product neatly packed into 400 jerrycans, each holding 25 litres, suggesting the site functioned not as a refining location but as a storage and distribution hub. No arrests were made, as suspected operators fled the scene upon sighting the approaching naval team.

The Nigerian Navy has struck another blow against the country's illicit petroleum trade, uncovering a warehouse stocked with roughly 10,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in the Eleme Express area of Rivers State. The seizure was made on 12 September 2026 by personnel aboard NNS PATHFINDER during a routine anti-crude oil theft patrol covering the Eleme–Okrika–Onne axis, a corridor long associated with illegal refining and product smuggling activities in the Niger Delta. In a press statement signed by Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Naval Information, Nigerian Navy and made available to WION correspondent Louisa Olaniyi on Monday, Naval officers found the product neatly packed into 400 jerrycans, each holding 25 litres, suggesting the site functioned not as a refining location but as a storage and distribution hub. Investigators believe the fuel was sourced from elsewhere and moved to the warehouse to await onwards sale to buyers within the local black market. Also Read: ‘Westminster’s time is coming to an end,’ say Welsh, Scottish, Northern Irish leaders at Cardiff summit Notably, no illegal refining equipment or site was found at the premises, reinforcing the theory that the facility served purely as a logistics point in the wider supply chain. Naval authorities say the operation’s real significance lies beyond the volume recovered. By dismantling this storage point, the Navy has cut off a key link that illicit operators depend on to move stolen and illegally refined products to market. Officials describe such facilities as the "commercial backbone" of the illegal refining trade, arguing that disrupting them is just as critical as shutting down refining camps themselves. Also Read: Tech stocks fall after AI bosses call for a slowdown in ‘reckless’ progress No arrests were made, as suspected operators fled the scene upon sighting the approaching naval team. The recovered products have since been processed in line with standard anti-crude oil theft protocols. The operation forms part of the Nigerian Navy's sustained campaign against crude oil theft and illegal refining across the Niger Delta, an effort officials say remains central to safeguarding the nation's petroleum resources and curbing environmental degradation linked to artisanal refining.

Naval officers found the product neatly packed into 400 jerrycans, each holding 25 litres, suggesting the site functioned not as a refining location but as a storage and distribution hub. No arrests were made, as suspected operators fled the scene upon sighting the approaching naval team.

Nigerian Navy seizes 10,000 litres of suspected illegal fuel in Rivers State crackdown

The Nigerian Navy has sustained efforts to disrupt illegal refining activities in rivers state, with personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER identifying and deactivating two illegal refining sites around the Ohaji axis of Egbema-Ndoni local government area. The operation, conducted on August 28, 2026, resulted in the recovery of approximately 34,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) contained in dugout pits, sacks and reservoirs, alongside other items associated with the illegal refining activities.&nbsp;&nbsp;The latest operation forms part of sustained efforts by NNS PATHFINDER to prevent the re-establishment of illegal refining infrastructure in the area. The continued interventions have contributed to a decline in the reactivation of such sites within the general area. The identified sites, recovered products and associated items were handled in accordance with established anti-crude oil theft procedures. No arrest was made as the suspected operators fled before the arrival of the naval team.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/why-didn-t-you-save-me-5-year-old-nepal-flood-victim-who-survived-under-rubble-for-60-hours-asked-parents-1788245863787">'Why didn't you save me?' 5-year-old Nepal flood victim, who survived under rubble for 60 hours, asked parents</a>&nbsp;The Nigerian Navy remains committed to sustaining intelligence-led operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL to disrupt crude oil theft and illegal refining activities, protect critical national assets and safeguard legitimate economic activities within Nigeria's maritime and riverine environment.&nbsp;

Nigerian Navy disrupts 2 illegal refining sites, recovers 34,000 litres of petroleum products in rivers

The Nigerian Navy has sustained efforts to disrupt illegal refining activities in rivers state, with personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER identifying and deactivating two illegal refining sites around the Ohaji axis of Egbema-Ndoni local government area. The operation, conducted on August 28, 2026, resulted in the recovery of approximately 34,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) contained in dugout pits, sacks and reservoirs, alongside other items associated with the illegal refining activities. The latest operation forms part of sustained efforts by NNS PATHFINDER to prevent the re-establishment of illegal refining infrastructure in the area. The continued interventions have contributed to a decline in the reactivation of such sites within the general area. The identified sites, recovered products and associated items were handled in accordance with established anti-crude oil theft procedures. No arrest was made as the suspected operators fled before the arrival of the naval team. Also Read: 'Why didn't you save me?' 5-year-old Nepal flood victim, who survived under rubble for 60 hours, asked parents The Nigerian Navy remains committed to sustaining intelligence-led operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL to disrupt crude oil theft and illegal refining activities, protect critical national assets and safeguard legitimate economic activities within Nigeria's maritime and riverine environment.

The latest operation forms part of sustained efforts by NNS PATHFINDER to prevent the re-establishment of illegal refining infrastructure in the area

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Nigeria Navy moves to boost oil security, tackle crude theft and infrastructure threats

Nigerian Navy seizes 10,000 litres of illegal fuel in Rivers State crackdown

Nigerian Navy disrupts two illegal refineries, recovers 34,000 litres in rivers