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The Nigerian Navy arrested 259 suspects and destroyed 168 illegal refineries between November 2025 and November 2026 as part of efforts to tackle crude oil theft and other maritime crimes.
The service also impounded four vessels suspected of involvement in oil theft and recovered more than 7.48 million litres of stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products during the period.
According to a scorecard obtained on Friday, the Navy also destroyed 363 dugout pits and secured nine convictions for offences linked to crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
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The report said the achievements were recorded during the first year of Vice Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of the Naval Staff.
It stated, “The Nigerian Navy has recorded significant operational, infrastructural and institutional achievements in the first year of Vice Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of the Naval Staff, strengthening its contribution to maritime security, protection of national assets and national development.
“Between November 2025 and November 2026, the Service sustained Nigeria’s zero-piracy status and recovered over 7.48 million litres of stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products.
“It also deactivated 168 illegal refining sites, destroyed 363 dugout pits, arrested 259 suspects and impounded four vessels suspected of involvement in crude oil theft, and secured nine convictions for offences relating to crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism.”
The Navy attributed its continued zero-piracy record to intelligence-led operations against crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other maritime offences.
To strengthen these efforts, the service launched Operation Delta Sentinel in January 2026 to intensify operations against oil theft, illegal bunkering and other crimes in Nigerian waters.
The Navy also commissioned three high-speed patrol vessels, NNS OLOIBIRI, NNS MAMBILA and NNS GURARA, in June 2026 to improve maritime surveillance and strengthen its ability to respond to security threats.
On infrastructure, the service reported more than 36 projects and the start of construction of a 200-bed Reference Hospital to improve healthcare for its personnel.
It also carried out more than 93 community development projects under the Chief of the Naval Staff Special Intervention Quick Impact Projects and other programmes.
The projects provided support in areas such as clean water, education, healthcare and electricity.
In another development, the Navy inducted 328 Nigerian Navy Marines to strengthen its ability to tackle asymmetric threats. Training for a second batch was also ongoing.
The service further participated in major multinational military exercises and operationalised the Combined Maritime Task Force for the Gulf of Guinea to improve regional cooperation and maritime security.
