The Nigerian Navy has intensified its campaign against crude oil theft and illegal refining activities, dismantling three newly established illegal refining sites and recovering 61,000 litres of suspected stolen petroleum products in Rivers State.
The successful operation was carried out by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER under Operation DELTA SENTINEL within the Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni axis of Rivers State.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the Navy said the operation targeted reactivated illegal refining infrastructure linked to crude oil theft syndicates operating in the area.
According to the statement, personnel discovered and deactivated three newly established illegal refining sites, recovering about 43,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil and 18,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
The products were concealed in 12 dugout pits and reservoirs, bringing the total volume of recovered petroleum products to approximately 61,000 litres.
The Navy noted that the latest operation demonstrates the continued determination of criminal elements to revive illegal refining activities despite sustained military operations.
It recalled that similar illegal refining infrastructure was dismantled within the same general area in July 2026, indicating persistent efforts by crude oil theft syndicates to re-establish their networks.
The service said its sustained operational presence across identified hotspots continues to deny economic saboteurs the opportunity to rebuild illegal refining camps while safeguarding critical national assets and supporting the Federal Government’s drive to boost oil production and strengthen economic security.
The Nigerian Navy reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL to dismantle illegal refining infrastructure, disrupt crude oil theft networks, and protect Nigeria’s oil and gas resources.
