The Nigerian Navy has disrupted three illegal refining sites and recovered approximately 91,000 litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil in Rivers State as part of intensified efforts to combat crude oil theft and illegal refining in the Niger Delta.
The operation was conducted on August 21, 2026, by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, following credible intelligence indicating the reactivation of illegal refining activities in the Okolomade and Ogbogolo areas of the state.
The Navy said the operation uncovered two cooking drums, two large ovens, 10 reservoirs and four storage facilities allegedly used in the illegal refining process.
Two makeshift camps suspected to have provided shelter for illegal refiners were also discovered during the operation.
In addition to the equipment and facilities, the operatives recovered approximately 91,000 litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil and about 70 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
The Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, describing the operation as part of the Navy’s sustained operational pressure against crude oil theft and illegal refining under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.
According to him, the illegal refining sites, recovered products and associated materials were handled in accordance with established procedures, effectively disrupting the reactivated facilities.
He said the action had denied the operators the infrastructure required to resume their illegal activities in the affected areas.
The latest operation underscores the Navy’s efforts to prevent criminal elements from rebuilding illegal refining infrastructure in locations previously affected by crude oil theft and illegal refining.
The Navy reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining Operation DELTA SENTINEL, with a focus on degrading the infrastructure supporting crude oil theft, protecting critical national assets and safeguarding Nigeria’s oil and gas resources from economic saboteurs.
Captain Folorunsho said the service would continue to sustain operational pressure against activities threatening the nation’s oil and gas sector and economic security.
