By Saminu Ibrahim
The Nigerian Navy has uncovered three dugout reservoirs containing approximately 25,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil in Obodo Omadino, Delta State, and arrested 19 suspects in separate joint operations with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Warri.
The operations, conducted between October 19 and 22, 2026, also led to the recovery of assorted substances suspected to be illicit drugs, including cannabis, Colorado and tramadol.
The Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, made this known in a statement on Thursday.
According to him, personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) DELTA discovered the reservoirs on October 21 during an operation under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.
He said the discovery disrupted a suspected storage point that could have been used to accumulate and transport stolen crude oil.
Folorunsho added that the reservoirs and their contents were handled in accordance with established procedures.
In a related development, the Navy, in collaboration with the NDLEA, arrested 19 suspects during two separate operations targeting locations allegedly used for the storage, sale and distribution of illicit drugs within the Warri area.
Items recovered during the operations included 10 cards of tramadol, 20 litres of Monkey Tail, 35 kilogrammes of cannabis, 18 kilogrammes of Colorado and other related exhibits.
The Navy spokesman said the suspects and recovered items had been handed over to the NDLEA Warri Area Command for further investigation and possible prosecution.
He noted that crude oil theft and illicit drug distribution posed serious threats to Nigeria’s economic security and public safety.
The Navy, he said, would intensify intelligence-led operations and strengthen collaboration with relevant security agencies to dismantle illegal petroleum activities and drug distribution networks.
Folorunsho urged members of the public to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to help identify criminal activities, protect national assets and enhance security across the Niger Delta.
