In a decisive move to fortify Nigeria's vital oil infrastructure and ramp up national crude output, the Nigerian Navy has officially inaugurated a major new security campaign named Operation Delta Sentinel. The initiative, unveiled at the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder Jetty in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, is designed to enhance maritime surveillance and aggressively combat crude oil theft across the volatile Niger Delta region.
New Operation Replaces Delta Sanity II
This new operation takes over from the concluded Operation Delta Sanity II. Speaking at the launch ceremony on 14 January 2026, Rear Admiral Sulieman Ibrahim, the Flag Officer Commanding the Central Naval Command and Commander of Task Group 26.1 for Operation Delta Sentinel, outlined the mission's scope. He stated that the operation will run for an initial period of one year, subject to a review every 90 days.
Rear Admiral Ibrahim framed the launch as a critical step in the Navy's enduring mission to protect Nigeria's strategic economic interests, foster growth, and ensure stability in the oil-rich Delta. "The transformation from Operation Delta Sanity II to Operation Delta Sentinel is necessitated, among other considerations, by the Federal Government’s drive to increase oil exploration and production," he explained.
Ambitious Production Targets and Strategy
The operation is a core component of the government's plan to significantly increase oil exploration and production. The ambitious goal is to achieve a crude oil production level of 2.5 million barrels per day (bpd) by 2027, aligning with the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission's (NUPRC) 'Project 1 Million Barrels Per Day Initiative'.
Rear Admiral Ibrahim revealed that ongoing naval efforts have already yielded impressive results, with crude oil losses plummeting by approximately 90%. Theft rates fell from about 102,900 barrels per day in 2021 to just 9,600 barrels per day as of September 25, 2025.
To achieve its objectives, Operation Delta Sentinel will employ a multi-faceted approach:
- Enhanced inter-agency coordination with regulators, other security services, and state governments.
- Intelligence-led operations and sustained collaboration with oil industry stakeholders and host communities.
- Deployment of advanced Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) infrastructure, new maritime platforms, and both manned and unmanned aerial assets.
"Our approach will be deliberate, innovative and technology-enabled," the naval chief asserted, emphasizing that these capabilities will improve situational awareness and maintain a robust surveillance network.
Building on Past Successes
The event also highlighted the accomplishments of the preceding Operation Delta Sanity II, which was launched on 30 December 2024. Rear Admiral Chiedozie Okehie, the Flag Officer Commanding the Eastern Naval Command who led that task group, reported substantial achievements before its conclusion.
From 1 January to 31 December 2025, Operation Delta Sanity II recorded the following successes:
- Arrest of 203 suspects.
- Deactivation of 324 illegal refining sites.
- Seizure of stolen crude oil and petroleum products valued at over ₦3.65 billion.
Specific confiscations included over 3.78 million litres of stolen crude oil, 1.09 million litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), 86,210 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), and 74,300 litres of kerosene. Numerous boats, vessels, and illegal refining equipment were also destroyed or impounded.
Rear Admiral Okehie credited these results to effective use of MDA architecture, kinetic operations, and non-kinetic community engagement programs. He noted that the NUPRC reported crude oil losses in September 2025 were at their lowest level since 2009.
With the launch of Operation Delta Sentinel, the Nigerian Navy has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to securing Nigeria's maritime domain. The operation stands as a pivotal pillar in the nation's strategy for economic recovery, directly linking enhanced security in the Niger Delta to the crucial goal of boosting oil production and national revenue.
