The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal refining in the Niger Delta, recording significant operational successes in coordinated missions across Rivers and Bayelsa states.
The Director of Naval Information, Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, noting that personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER carried out a targeted operation on May 1, 2026, in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State. Acting on credible intelligence, the team deployed two gunboats with 20 personnel under its Anti-Crude Oil Theft (Anti-COT) operations.
During the raid, operatives uncovered and dismantled five illegal refining sites around the Egboama-Ogbogolo community. The sites comprised about 15 dug-out pits, storage facilities, and reservoirs containing an estimated 85,000 litres of suspected crude oil, alongside 78,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
Further findings indicated that the illicit products were being siphoned from a nearby wellhead located a few metres from the refining sites, although the operator of the facility could not be immediately identified. The Navy confirmed that all illegal infrastructure and products were destroyed in line with established Anti-COT procedures, while suspects fled the scene before the arrival of troops.
In a related development, personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH responded to intelligence on the movement of suspected oil thieves near the Soku Gas Plant pipeline corridor in Bayelsa State at about 7:00 p.m. on the same day.
A thorough search of the area led to the recovery of several items used for illegal pipeline connections and oil theft. These included 10 jerrycans, a 300-metre 3-inch red hose, a 200-metre 4-inch brown hose, and a 20-metre blue pipe concealed within nearby bushes. As with the Rivers operation, no arrests were made as suspects reportedly fled before troops arrived.
The Navy said the operations demonstrate its sustained efforts to deny economic saboteurs freedom of action within Nigeria’s maritime environment. It added that efforts are ongoing to track down fleeing suspects and dismantle associated criminal networks.
Reaffirming its commitment to protecting the nation’s critical assets, the Navy assured that it would continue aggressive operations to curb oil theft and ensure a secure environment for legitimate economic activities.
The service also urged members of the public to provide credible information to security agencies to support ongoing efforts.
