Navy Destroys Illegal Refinery, Seizes 20,000 Litres of Stolen Crude in Niger Delta

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

The Navy has dismantled an illegal oil refining site and recovered more than 20,000 litres of suspected stolen crude in the oil-rich Niger Delta region.

According to a statement signed by Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operation was carried out at Allison community in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State by personnel of the Forward Operating Base Bonny.

The navy said the raid followed intelligence reports about illegal refining activities in the area, prompting the deployment of an anti-crude oil theft patrol team.

It said troops discovered an active refining site equipped with dugout pits, locally made processing systems and sacks containing substances believed to be stolen crude oil.

More than 20,000 litres of the product were found at the site, according to the statement, while thosesuspected of operating the facility fled on sighting the naval team.

The military said the site and materials were handled in line with operational procedures, as part of efforts to curb oil theft and economic sabotage in the region.

The navy added that operations would continue in support of government efforts to protect oil infrastructure and boost production targets.