In a serious transfer to bolster Nigeria’s {economic} safety, the Nigerian Navy has formally transitioned from Operation DELTA SANITY II to a brand new, extra sturdy part titled Operation DELTA SENTINEL.
This transition follows a extremely profitable 2025 marketing campaign that noticed the Navy get better stolen petroleum merchandise valued at over ₦3.65 billion. During the formal flag-off ceremony, the CTG 25.1 who’s the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command Rear Admiral CD Okehie revealed that the outgoing operation resulted within the arrest of 203 suspects and the deactivation of 324 unlawful refining websites, contributing to the bottom crude oil losses reported in Nigeria since 2009.
The outgoing commander additional highlighted that between January and December 2025, the Navy seized over 3.7 million litres of stolen crude oil and destroyed an intensive community of legal infrastructure, together with 91 wood boats and 732 unlawful ovens. These efforts, supported by the visionary management of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, haven’t solely protected nationwide income however have additionally considerably enhanced Nigeria’s worldwide status as a dependable power producer.
The operation’s success was attributed to the mixing of superior maritime surveillance and powerful collaboration with host communities and sister safety businesses.
Taking over the mandate, the Commander of Task Group 26.1, Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim, Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command, emphasised that Operation DELTA SENTINEL is designed to align with the Federal Government’s “Project 1mbpd” initiative, which goals to aggressively improve nationwide oil manufacturing. The new operation will run for an preliminary interval of 1 12 months, specializing in deep offshore developments and defending the evolving portfolios of International Oil Companies (IOCs).
Admiral Ibrahim famous that with oil manufacturing targets set for two.5 mbpd by 2027, the Navy will intensify its use of technology-enabled surveillance, together with manned and unmanned air belongings. The new command has declared a zero-tolerance coverage towards {economic} sabotage, vowing to make the Niger Delta more and more hostile to grease thieves and maritime criminals.
While the earlier operation efficiently diminished common each day crude oil losses by 90% since 2021, Operation DELTA SENTINEL goals to drive these figures even decrease. Rear Admiral Ibrahim reiterated NN’s dedication to skilled engagement with host communities, stating that success will in the end be measured by sustained will increase in crude oil manufacturing and the continued stability of Nigeria’s maritime area beneath the strategic path of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
