The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal refining in the Niger Delta, successfully disrupting renewed attempts by criminal networks to re-establish illegal refining operations in Rivers State.
Key highlights:
According to a statement signed by Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Naval Information, personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER, operating under ‘Operation DELTA SENTINEL’, conducted a targeted anti-crude oil theft operation around the Oseokishikpa axis of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
During the operation, naval personnel uncovered two illegal refining sites containing eight dugout pits and reservoirs used for illicit production activities.
The sites were found with an estimated 15,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and about 105,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
The navy described the discovery as significant, noting that it confirmed ongoing attempts by criminal elements to reactivate previously dismantled illegal refining infrastructure in the area.
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According to the service, the operation successfully disrupted the illicit activities and prevented the re-establishment of a network capable of sustaining large-scale crude oil theft and environmental degradation.
All illegal refining sites and recovered products were handled in line with established anti-crude oil theft procedures, effectively denying economic saboteurs access to resources used to sustain their operations.
The navy reaffirmed its commitment to sustained, intelligence-driven operations under ‘Operation DELTA SENTINEL’, aimed at dismantling crude oil theft networks, protecting critical national infrastructure, and safeguarding Nigeria’s economic interests in the Niger Delta.
