Navy Uncovers Illegal Refining Sites, Recovers 120,000 Litres of Petroleum Products in Rivers

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

The Nigerian Navy has uncovered two illegal refining sites and recovered about 120,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The operation was carried out by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder under Operation Delta Sentinel following credible intelligence on renewed illegal refining activities in the area.

According to a statement issued by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operation took place around the Oseokishikpa axis of the local government area.The Navy said personnel discovered two illegal refining sites comprising eight dugout pits and reservoirs containing approximately 15,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and 105,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).

It noted that the discovery indicated attempts by suspected oil thieves to reactivate illegal refining infrastructure previously dismantled by security forces in the area.

The Navy stated that the operation disrupted the activities of the suspected economic saboteurs and prevented the re-establishment of an illegal refining network capable of sustaining crude oil theft.

According to the statement, the illegal refining sites and recovered products were handled in line with established anti-crude oil theft procedures.

The Nigerian Navy reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations under Operation Delta Sentinel to combat crude oil theft, protect critical national assets and safeguard the country’s economic interests in the Niger Delta.