The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta, disrupting three illegal refining sites and recovering approximately 85,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in Rivers State.
The operation, conducted under Operation DELTA SENTINEL by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER, took place in the Egbema axis of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of the state following credible intelligence on the activities of criminal elements operating in the area.
Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said the operation led to the discovery of three illegal refining sites containing eight dugout pits, sacks and reservoirs filled with the suspected illegally refined AGO.
He said the illegal refining sites and recovered products were subsequently handled in accordance with established anti-crude oil theft procedures.
The latest operation came barely two weeks after NNS PATHFINDER disrupted two illegal refining sites in the same general area on August 3, 2026, highlighting the Navy’s sustained efforts to prevent criminal elements from rebuilding illicit refining infrastructure.
The Nigerian Navy said the continued pressure on the illegal refining networks has also contributed to a decline in the reactivation of previously disrupted sites, demonstrating the impact of sustained operations in degrading crude oil theft and illegal petroleum supply chains.
The Navy reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining Operation DELTA SENTINEL to protect critical national assets, disrupt economic crimes in the oil sector and safeguard Nigeria’s economic interests.
