The Nigerian Navy has recovered 33,800 litres of petroleum products and deactivated two illegal refining sites in Rivers State as part of its 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 illegal refining activities at Ogbogolo Community in Ahoada West Local Government Area of the state.
The naval team recovered about 28,520 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 5,280 litres of stolen crude oil, bringing the total volume of petroleum products recovered to approximately 33,800 litres.
Items discovered at the sites included 48 sacks, three dugout pits, two kegs and three cooking drums used for the storage and processing of illegally refined petroleum products.
The Navy said the suspected perpetrators fled the area after sighting the naval personnel.
The latest operation, according to the Navy, is part of sustained efforts under Operation DELTA SENTINEL to disrupt crude oil theft and dismantle the infrastructure and networks supporting illegal refining activities across the Niger Delta.
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has directed naval formations and units to sustain pressure on criminal networks involved in oil theft, with the aim of protecting critical oil and gas infrastructure and creating a safer environment for legitimate economic activities in the region.
The Navy said it would continue to deploy maritime domain awareness capabilities, intelligence-led operations and collaboration with other security agencies and host communities to protect Nigeria’s energy resources and support efforts to improve crude oil production and national economic security.
