The Nigerian Navy has thwarted a fresh attempt by crude oil theft syndicates to revive illegal refining operations in Rivers State, dismantling four illicit refining sites and confiscating an estimated 77,000 litres of stolen crude oil during a coordinated operation under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.
The operation was carried out on May 31 by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH following intelligence reports of renewed illegal refining activities around the Egboama/Ogbogolo axis of Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State.
According to a statement signed by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the anti-crude oil theft team deployed aerial surveillance and riverine mobility assets to navigate the challenging creek terrain and verify the intelligence.
Drone reconnaissance subsequently uncovered multiple illegal refining camps hidden within the area. Further exploitation of the sites led to the discovery of four illegal refining facilities comprising refining ovens, dugout pits and storage facilities containing approximately 77,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil.
Investigations revealed that the criminal operators had been making efforts to rebuild refining infrastructure previously dismantled by security forces during earlier enforcement operations.
The Navy said the operation resulted in the deactivation of four illegal refining sites, including three refining ovens, two dugout pits and a reservoir used to sustain the illicit activities.
The latest crackdown, according to the Navy, highlights the determination of crude oil theft syndicates to regenerate their operations despite sustained enforcement actions across the Niger Delta.
It also underscored the effectiveness of intelligence-driven operations, surveillance capabilities and rapid-response measures being deployed under Operation DELTA SENTINEL to combat economic sabotage and protect critical national assets.
The Navy confirmed that all identified sites and seized products were handled in line with established anti-crude oil theft procedures, effectively denying criminal elements access to resources used to perpetrate illegal refining activities.
Reaffirming its commitment to securing Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure, the Nigerian Navy pledged to sustain aggressive operations aimed at dismantling illegal refining networks, curbing crude oil theft and safeguarding the nation’s economic interests throughout the Niger Delta region.
