Navy Recovers 33,800 Litres of Petroleum Products, Destroys Illegal Refineries in Rivers

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

The Nigerian Navy has recovered 33,800 litres of petroleum products and deactivated two illegal refining sites in Rivers State as part of sustained operations against crude oil theft and illegal refining in the Niger Delta.

The operation was carried out on Friday, September 25, by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH, a unit under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, following credible intelligence on activities at Ogbogolo Community in Ahoada West Local Government Area of the state.

According to a statement by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operatives recovered 28,520 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 5,280 litres of stolen crude oil from the sites.

The naval team also discovered 48 sacks, three dugout pits, two kegs and three cooking drums used in the storage and processing of the products.

The suspects reportedly fled the area on sighting the naval personnel.

The Navy said the operation formed part of its sustained campaign under Operation DELTA SENTINEL to disrupt the infrastructure and networks supporting crude oil theft and illegal refining in the Niger Delta.

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, directed naval formations and units to sustain pressure on criminal networks involved in oil theft, with a focus on protecting critical oil and gas infrastructure and creating a secure environment for legitimate economic activities.

The Navy said it would continue to rely on intelligence-led operations, maritime domain awareness and collaboration with other security agencies and host communities to protect Nigeria’s energy resources and support efforts to increase crude oil production.