The Nigerian Navy has uncovered a massive stockpile of illegally refined petroleum products and deactivated a reactivated illegal refining site in Rivers State as part of ongoing anti-crude oil theft operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.
According to a statement issued on June 10 by the Navy’s Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH carried out a targeted operation around the Egboama/Ogbogolo axis of Ahoada West Local Government Area following credible intelligence.
The operation, which was supported by aerial surveillance, led to the discovery of an illegal refining site containing about 30,000 litres of suspected illegally sourced crude oil and 138,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
The products were stored in reservoirs, refining facilities and more than 1,200 sacks concealed within the area for onward distribution.
The Navy said preliminary investigations revealed that the site had been reactivated by criminal elements despite previous enforcement actions, highlighting the determination of oil theft syndicates to resume illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta.
The operation resulted in the deactivation of the refining site and the disruption of what authorities described as a significant fuel distribution network linked to economic sabotage.
Folorunsho said all recovered products and associated facilities were handled in line with established anti-crude oil theft procedures.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL to dismantle crude oil theft networks, protect critical energy infrastructure and safeguard Nigeria’s economic interests.
