Navy uncovers 40,000 litres of suspected crude oil in Delta
By Kingsley Omonobi The Nigerian Navy has uncovered approximately 40,000 litres of substance suspected to be crude oil stored in a large dugout reservoir in the Oteghele general area of Delta State. The discovery was…
The Niger Delta, including Delta State, remains a hotspot for crude oil theft and illegal refining, a problem that has persisted for years despite repeated military crackdowns. Perpetrators typically tap into pipelines or divert crude into makeshift dugout pits and reservoirs, from where it is either sold informally or processed in artisanal refineries, causing environmental damage and significant revenue losses for the Nigerian state. The Navy's Western Naval Command has intensified patrols and surveillance operations in the creeks of the region as part of a broader anti-crude-theft campaign.
Both Vanguard and Leadership report the discovery of roughly 40,000 litres of suspected crude stored in a dugout reservoir in the Oteghele area, with Leadership specifying the find was made on October 7, 2026. Neither report yet details who is suspected to be responsible, whether arrests have been made, or how the product will be disposed of — details likely to emerge as the Navy's investigation continues.