Nigerian Navy foils return of illegal refining activities in Rivers
Nigerian Navy Disrupts Illegal Refining Operations in Rivers State
The Nigerian Navy has successfully thwarted efforts to re-establish illegal oil refining operations in Rivers State.
Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Naval Information, announced the operation, which was carried out by personnel from the Nigerian Navy Ship NNS Pathfinder. Acting under Operation Delta Sentinel, the unit acted on credible intelligence to conduct an anti-crude oil theft mission in the Oseokishikpa area of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area.
During the operation, navy personnel located two illegal refining sites that contained eight dugout pits and reservoirs. Authorities estimate that these sites held approximately 15,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and 105,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
The statement from the Navy underscored the importance of this operation, noting that it not only disrupted illicit activities but also prevented the re-establishment of a refining network that could facilitate further crude oil theft and environmental damage.
In accordance with established anti-crude oil theft protocols, the illegal refining sites and the recovered products were properly managed, effectively denying economic saboteurs access to resources that support criminal enterprises.
The Nigerian Navy reaffirmed its commitment to intelligence-driven operations under Operation Delta Sentinel, aimed at dismantling crude oil theft networks, protecting critical national infrastructure, and safeguarding Nigeria’s economic interests in the Niger Delta.
