The Nigeria military, through the Nigerian Navy, has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, dismantling four illegal refining sites and recovering 43,000 litres of suspected illegally refined petroleum products in Rivers State.
According to a press statement issued on Friday by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operation was carried out by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER following credible intelligence within the Egbema axis of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The operation led to the recovery of about 28,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 15,000 litres of suspected Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), which were concealed in dugout pits, reservoirs and sacks.
The Navy said the illegal refining infrastructure was dismantled, while the recovered products were handled in line with established anti-crude oil theft procedures.
The statement noted that the latest operation dealt another major blow to criminal networks that have repeatedly attempted to reactivate illegal refining sites in the area despite previous enforcement actions.
It added that the persistent re-establishment of the facilities reflects the determination of crude oil theft syndicates to continue their illicit activities, but stressed that the Nigerian Navy remains committed to denying them any opportunity to regain operational footholds.
According to the Navy, sustained intelligence-driven operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL have continued to degrade the operational capabilities of crude oil theft networks, disrupt illegal petroleum production and protect Nigeria’s critical oil and gas infrastructure from economic sabotage.
The Nigerian Navy reaffirmed its resolve to sustain the offensive against economic saboteurs, dismantle criminal networks and safeguard the nation’s maritime environment and economic interests.
