The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, dismantling two illegal refining sites and recovering about 85,300 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil during a fresh operation in Rivers State.
The operation, carried out under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, took place within the Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni axis of Rivers State as part of the Navy’s sustained efforts to combat illegal refining and protect the nation’s critical oil infrastructure.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operation led to the discovery and deactivation of two illegal refining sites linked to ongoing crude oil theft activities in the area.
He disclosed that personnel recovered approximately 85,300 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil concealed in dugout pits and reservoirs used by the criminal syndicates to sustain their illicit operations.
Folorunsho noted that the latest discovery comes only days after the Navy dismantled similar illegal refining infrastructure within the same general area, indicating persistent attempts by economic saboteurs to reactivate illegal refining operations despite continuous security pressure.
He said the repeated discoveries demonstrate the effectiveness of the Nigerian Navy’s sustained operational presence across identified hotspots in the Niger Delta, stressed that the operations have continued to deny criminal elements the opportunity to establish and maintain illegal refining networks.
According to him, the ongoing offensive is contributing significantly to the protection of critical oil and gas infrastructure, while safeguarding Nigeria’s economic interests by reducing crude oil theft and associated environmental degradation.
The Navy reaffirmed its determination to sustain the momentum under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, pledged to continue dismantling illegal refining networks, combating crude oil theft and protecting Nigeria’s maritime and energy assets through coordinated security operations.
