*PRESS STATEMENT*
_2 August 2026_
OPERATION DELTA SENTINEL: NIGERIAN NAVY SUSTAINS PRESSURE ON REACTIVATED ILLEGAL REFINING NETWORKS, RECOVERS 61,000 LITRES OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS IN RIVERS STATE
The Nigerian Navy has sustained its operational momentum against crude oil theft and illegal refining activities under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, recording another significant success in Rivers State through the disruption of reactivated illegal refining infrastructure.
The operation, conducted by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER within the Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni axis of Rivers State, led to the discovery and deactivation of three newly established illegal refining sites linked to ongoing crude oil theft activities in the area.
During the operation, personnel recovered approximately 43,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil and 18,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) concealed in 12 dugout pits and reservoirs, bringing the total volume of recovered petroleum products to 61,000 litres.
The latest discovery highlights the continued attempts by criminal elements to reactivate and expand illegal refining operations despite sustained enforcement efforts. It will be recalled that similar illegal refining infrastructure was dismantled within the same general area in July 2026, underscoring the determination of crude oil theft syndicates to re-establish their activities.
By maintaining sustained operational presence across identified hotspots, the Nigerian Navy continues to deny economic saboteurs the opportunity to rebuild their networks, while protecting critical national assets and supporting the Federal Government's efforts to enhance oil production and economic security.
The Nigerian Navy remains resolute in sustaining intelligence-driven operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL to dismantle illegal refining infrastructure, disrupt crude oil theft networks, and safeguard Nigeria's oil and gas resources.
Signed
@AA_Folorunsho
Navy Captain
Director Naval Information
Nigerian Navy
As usual, @sowore will always exploits someone’s hardship for clicks and attention.
But, we all know that even in advanced democracies, such claims of evidence linking government official to terrorism trigger proper investigation, including lawful searches when there is reason to believe material is being concealed. That is not persecution. It is basic national security work.
If Samaila genuinely holds such evidence, the place for it is to hand it over security agency not selective leaks and theatrical allegations.
National security is not a PR exercise.
@HabibaIdri40129 So you want them to allow him to continue fanning the embers of division that could lead to a crisis, abi? Then later you’ll turn around and accuse the NSA and DSS of inaction. Sorry for you, the NSA and DSS are fully on top of their game this time around.
FG Files Terrorism Charges Against Three DSS Suspects Over Orire School Kidnap
The FG has filed a 10-count charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja against three men arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) over their alleged involvement in the kidnapping of schoolchildren and teachers in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The defendants are Abdulrazak Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid, Yunusa Musa, also known as Yunusa bin Musa, and Shamsu Adamu Sani, also known as Abu Itisar.
The charges, filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, border on terrorism, conspiracy, aiding kidnapping, concealment of terrorist activities, membership of a proscribed terrorist organisation, incitement to terrorism, provision of terrorist training, cyber-related offences and unlawful mining.
According to the charge sheet, the three defendants, all residents of Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, allegedly conspired between January and May 2026 with three other suspects identified as Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab to kidnap schoolchildren and teachers in Orire LGA of Oyo State.
The prosecution alleged that the conspiracy contravened Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The Federal Government further accused the defendants of aiding the principal suspects in carrying out the abduction, an offence punishable under Section 26(3) of the same Act.
The charge also alleged that the trio deliberately concealed information about the identities and activities of the alleged masterminds despite having prior knowledge of their terrorist activities and the planned kidnapping.
According to the prosecution, the suspects failed to report the information to relevant security agencies, thereby violating Section 16(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The defendants were also accused of concealing information that could have assisted security agencies in preventing the kidnapping or facilitating the arrest of those responsible.
In another count, the prosecution alleged that on or about June 2, 2026, the three defendants professed membership of Darul Salam, described in the charge sheet as an affiliate of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), a proscribed terrorist organisation in Nigeria.
The Federal Government maintained that such membership constitutes an offence under Section 25(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.
Separate allegations were made against the first defendant, Abdulrazak Umar. According to the charge sheet, Umar allegedly established and administered a WhatsApp group titled “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace,” through which he was said to have provided training, guidance and operational instructions to members of the terrorist group.
He was also accused of using the platform to incite members through extremist preachings to commit acts of terrorism, contrary to provisions of both the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
The tenth count accused Umar of engaging in illegal gold mining at streams in Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area between 2024 and 2026 without lawful authority, contrary to Section 8(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
The charge sheet indicated that the unlawful mining activities allegedly formed part of the financial activities linked to the investigation.
A security source familiar with the case said investigations into the suspects had been concluded and the defendants would be arraigned before the Federal High Court next week.
According to the source, security agencies are still investigating the roles of other persons connected with the alleged terrorist network.
The filing of the charges follows the recent rescue of the abducted schoolchildren & teachers in Oyo State after a coordinated security operation involving security forces
Sowore routinely cries 'collusion' against judges, prosecutors & DSS whenever a judgment doesn't favour him, in a bid to sway public sentiment.
Yet he rarely acknowledges that the same judiciary he attacks has repeatedly ruled in his favour, including declaring his 2019 arrest illegal with N1m damages against DSS, discharging him from treason charges and restoring his bail in June 2026.
Enough of dragging the judiciary for personal vendettas. The courts are the last hope of ordinary citizens. We must respect judges and uphold the rule of law.
Rev. Dachomo, the pulpit should lift the message of reconciliation, not calls for violence or daring the President. With your public testimony of a past in armed robbery and addiction, you’re better placed to model redemption through peace, not deepen divisions.
The insecurity plaguing Plateau State is complex deeply rooted in land disputes, resource competition and other socio-economic factors not a grand “Islamisation” plot.
Let us support ongoing security efforts, back genuine dialogue and pursue lasting solutions instead of escalating confrontation.
#PeaceInPlateau #UniteAgainstTerror
“Rehabilitating t£rrorists cannot be encouraged at any level of influence. The government should do the needful by taking care of the victims of insecurity” — Senator Ahmed Jaha
Why drag Tinubu into this? The DSS is a constitutional authority empowered by law to invite or arrest individuals whose activities are inimical to peace and national security.
If Zainab’s conduct puts her on their radar, they have every right to act. Stop leveraging every issue for cheap political points. Leave the President out of your childish quest for relevance and let the DSS do its work.
Peter Obi’s new lies
Peter Obi’s recent claims of being targeted by the government—citing an incident involving his car at the airport, which, by his own account, must have resulted from flouting parking regulations—are simply unfounded and misleading.
As a pathological and serial liar, Mr Obi is intent on dragging the government into every personal inconvenience he encounters, often resorting to exaggeration and baseless allegations.
His claim that he may not be alive for the January 2027 election and that people are being pressured not to invite him to social events is nothing more than a fabricated narrative, a page from his book of lies and propaganda. These claims lack substance and are designed to attract undue sympathy and deflect attention from his credibility deficit and the problems faced by his SPV and his adopted political association, the NDC.
It is important to note that Mr Obi has a substantial interest in Fidelity Bank. The institution continues to thrive as a result of the current administration’s robust economic reforms. The government is certainly not targeting the bank. Rather than being “haunted” by the government, Mr Obi appears to be grappling with the consequences of his litany of unfounded statements.
The Tinubu government remains fully focused on consolidating its historic and beneficial reforms for the good of all Nigerians. It has neither the time nor the inclination to be distracted by Mr Obi’s self-serving narratives and lies or by his candidacy, as he constantly diminishes himself with specious, unverifiable utterances.
Sowore thinks everything starts and believes everything starts and ends with him. The mere fact that someone is close to him or works with him doesn’t make them immune to arrest.
Who told you she was arrested simply for “aligning” with you? Drones are strictly regulated in Nigeria and as far as I know, they are even prohibited in certain locations in Abuja. The law is the law, it doesn’t bend for friendships or affiliations.