Nigeria’s Navy Deploys Advanced Arsenal to Protect 2.5 Million BPD Crude Target
The Nigerian Navy has launched Operation Delta Sentinel with an impressive display of military hardware, deploying ten gunboats, three drones, and additional undisclosed equipment to safeguard the Federal Government’s ambitious plan to achieve 2.5 million barrels per day of crude oil production by 2027. The operation, unveiled at the Nigeria Navy Ship Pathfinder Jetty in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, marks a transformation from the previous Operation Delta Sanity and signals intensified efforts against oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta and offshore areas.
Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim, Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command and commander of Task Group 26.1, explained that the new operation will run for one year with renewable 90-day cycles. The initiative directly supports the Federal Government’s drive to increase oil exploration and production, aligning with the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission’s Project 1m bpd initiative.
The operation will leverage intelligence-driven tactics, close coordination with regulators, sister services, security agencies, state governments, and other stakeholders. Technology-enabled surveillance using Maritime Domain Awareness infrastructure, new maritime platforms, and both manned and unmanned air assets will form the backbone of the mission. These capabilities are expected to optimize asset utilization, improve situational awareness, and maintain a proactive operational posture.
The stakes are high, as crude oil losses have dropped dramatically from 102,900 barrels per day in 2021 to just 9,600 bpd as of September 2025, representing a 90 percent reduction. Admiral Ibrahim emphasized that the success of Operation Delta Sentinel will be measured not only by arrests or seizures but by sustained increases in crude oil production, enhanced maritime security, and effective protection of Nigeria’s critical offshore assets.
The outgoing Operation Delta Sanity II, which ran from January 1 to December 31, 2025, demonstrated the scale of the challenge. During that period, 203 suspects were arrested, 324 illegal refining sites were deactivated, and authorities seized over 3.78 million litres of stolen crude oil, 1.1 million litres of illegally refined AGO, 86,210 litres of PMS, and 74,300 litres of kerosene. The estimated economic value of these seized products exceeds N3.65 billion, excluding the value of destroyed vessels, equipment, and infrastructure.
Rear Admiral Chiedozie Okehie, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command who led Operation Delta Sanity II, highlighted these achievements during the handover. Admiral Ibrahim thanked Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Idi Abbas for entrusting him with the command, describing the assignment as an important national mandate. He stated that engagement with host communities will remain central to operational success and public confidence as the Navy works to deny criminal elements freedom of action and protect critical national oil assets.
Source: punchng.com
