The Nigerian Navy has foiled a fresh attempt by crude oil theft syndicates to revive illegal refining operations in Rivers State, deactivating four illegal refining sites and recovering an estimated 77,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operation was carried out on May 31, 2026, by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH under Operation Delta Sentinel.
The Navy said the operation followed intelligence reports indicating renewed activities at illegal refining sites around the Egboama/Ogbogolo axis of Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Acting on the intelligence, an anti-crude oil theft team launched a coordinated operation supported by aerial surveillance and riverine mobility assets to access the difficult creek terrain. Drone reconnaissance reportedly revealed multiple illegal refining locations concealed within the area.
During the operation, personnel discovered four illegal refining sites comprising refining ovens, dugout pits and storage facilities containing about 77,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil.
Investigations allegedly revealed ongoing efforts by criminal elements to rebuild refining infrastructure that had previously been dismantled during earlier enforcement operations.
The operation led to the deactivation of four illegal refining sites, including three refining ovens, two dugout pits and a reservoir used to support illegal refining activities.
The Navy said the discovery highlights the persistence of crude oil theft syndicates despite repeated enforcement actions and underscores the effectiveness of sustained surveillance, intelligence gathering and rapid-response operations under Operation Delta Sentinel.
According to the statement, all identified sites and recovered products were handled in line with established anti-crude oil theft procedures, denying criminal elements access to resources used to sustain economic sabotage.
The Nigerian Navy reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling illegal refining infrastructure, protecting critical national assets and safeguarding Nigeria’s economic interests across the Niger Delta.
