Navy Uncovers Another Set of Reservoirs Containing 25,000 Litres of Stolen Crude Oil – THISDAYLIVE

.Pushes for indigenous manufacturing of navy {hardware}, better funding in analysis, innovation 

Linus Aleke in Abuja 

The Nigerian Navy has uncovered three dugout reservoirs containing roughly 25,000 litres of a substance suspected to be crude oil in Obodo Omadino, Delta State.

It additionally known as for better funding in indigenous manufacturing of navy tools, arguing {that a} navy that relies upon totally on different international locations for its expertise can not totally management its operational readiness.

The Service additionally disclosed that at the least 19 suspected drug peddlers have been arrested throughout a sequence of joint operations with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Warri. Substances suspected to be illicit medicine have been additionally recovered throughout the operations.

According to a press release by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the invention of the suspected crude oil was made by Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta on 21 October 2026 beneath Operation Delta Sentinel.

He mentioned the reservoirs and their contents have been dealt with in accordance with established procedures, stressing that the invention had disrupted a suspected storage facility that might have facilitated the buildup and onward motion of stolen crude oil.

He added that two joint operations performed between 19 and 22 October 2026 by NNS Delta and the NDLEA led to the arrest of 19 suspects at places suspected of getting used for the illicit storage, sale and distribution of medicine inside the Warri space.

“Recovered exhibits included 10 cards of tramadol, 20 litres of Monkey Tail, 35 kilogrammes of cannabis, 18 kilogrammes of Colorado and other related items,” he mentioned.

Captain Folorunsho mentioned the suspects and recovered displays had been handed over to the NDLEA Warri Area Command for additional investigation and obligatory authorized motion.

He famous that crude oil theft and illicit drug distribution posed distinct however critical threats to financial safety and public security.

He added that the Nigerian Navy would intensify intelligence-led operations and strengthen cooperation with related businesses to disrupt illicit petroleum actions, sort out drug distribution networks and assist the prosecution of offenders.

The Navy additionally urged members of the general public to offer well timed and credible data to safety businesses to assist establish prison actions, defend nationwide property and safeguard communities throughout the Niger Delta.

Apart from calling for better funding in indigenous manufacturing of navy tools, the Service additionally famous that the rising value of imported platforms and spare elements, coupled with prolonged provide lead instances, made the event of indigenous capabilities crucial.

It subsequently known as for elevated funding in analysis and innovation to assist a strong home defence manufacturing trade.

The Chief of Naval Transformation and Innovation (CNTI), Rear Admiral Chijioke Onyemaobi, made this name on the ongoing Nigerian Navy Research and Development Seminar 2026, being held at Naval Headquarters in Abuja.

He mentioned, “Our maritime setting is altering quickly. Unmanned programs, synthetic intelligence, superior sensors and additive manufacturing are reshaping how navies combat, maintain and preserve their fleets. Research and improvement are the bridge between rising applied sciences and our operational wants, and the pathway from dependence to self-reliance.

“I urge all participants to share their knowledge openly and constructively so that our deliberations yield practical recommendations for capabilities that are relevant, sustainable and responsive to our operational requirements.”

Declaring the seminar themed ‘Deepening the Application of Emerging Technologies for Operational Effectiveness’ open, the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, mentioned progress in indigenous shipbuilding and upkeep by way of naval dockyards and shipyards demonstrated the Navy’s rising capability to develop and maintain operational capabilities domestically.

He added that rising applied sciences have been related past the maritime area, notably in supporting the Navy’s contributions to counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations.

Vice Admiral Abbas, who was additionally the Special Guest of Honour and keynote speaker, mentioned the seminar offered a chance to look at how rising applied sciences might handle operational challenges, optimise out there sources and strengthen the Navy’s contribution to nationwide safety amid the rising affect of expertise on modern naval operations.

He famous that the maritime safety panorama was altering quickly, with threats turning into more and more refined.

“Criminal networks continue to exploit technology to evade detection and threaten critical national assets. An effective response must therefore be driven by corresponding improvements in timely intelligence, accurate surveillance and the ability to deploy appropriate forces where they are most needed. The objective is not simply to acquire more technology, but to achieve greater operational effect with the resources available to us,” he mentioned.

He added that have had demonstrated the worth of technology-enabled maritime surveillance in enhancing maritime area consciousness and directing patrols in direction of recognized threats.

According to him, this intelligence-led method had enabled extra environment friendly deployment of restricted naval property, diminished gas and upkeep prices, and improved operational responses.

He famous that surveillance of offshore installations and different vital nationwide infrastructure had strengthened the Navy’s efforts to fight crude oil theft and associated financial crimes, serving to to create a safer setting for oil manufacturing.

He additional harassed that rising applied sciences provided alternatives to increase these capabilities to creeks and adjoining coastal areas for pipeline monitoring and safety, thereby safeguarding important nationwide property and supporting sustained oil manufacturing.