The Nigerian Navy has intensified its campaign against crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta, successfully dismantling four illegal refining sites in Rivers State.
The operation, conducted on Saturday, July 11, led to the recovery of approximately 43,000 litres of suspected illegally refined petroleum products.
Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Naval Information, disclosed this development in a statement published on the Nigerian Navy’s official X account.
Personnel from Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER acted on credible intelligence, targeting the Egbema axis of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area.
The operation uncovered four illegal refining sites and resulted in the seizure of large quantities of illicit products.
Specifically, 28,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 15,000 litres of suspected Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) were found concealed in dugout pits, reservoirs, and sacks.
The illegal refining facilities were dismantled, and the recovered products were processed according to established procedures for materials seized during anti-crude oil theft operations.
The Navy reiterated its commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.
This initiative aims to dismantle criminal networks, deny economic saboteurs freedom of action, and safeguard Nigeria’s maritime environment and economic interests.
This latest success follows a series of similar operations in Rivers State.
Barely a week prior, on July 5, the Navy uncovered a concealed illegal fuel storage facility, recovering about 11,800 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO.
Earlier, on July 2, another illegal crude oil storage facility was dismantled in Bonny Local Government Area, yielding approximately 20,500 litres of suspected stolen crude oil.
Other recent interceptions by naval personnel include recoveries of 22,870 litres, 63,290 litres, and 103,500 litres of suspected illegally refined petroleum products in separate raids targeting crude oil theft networks across Rivers State.
