The Nigerian Navy has recorded another operational success under its flagship maritime security initiative, Operation Delta Sentinel, disrupted illegal crude oil refining activities in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni area of Rivers State.
The operation was carried out by the patrol team of Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder Anti-Crude Oil Theft Unit, which uncovered a tampered wellhead belonging to Renaissance African Energy Limited. The wellhead had reportedly been illegally connected to an improvised pipeline used to siphon crude oil into dugout pits for illegal refining.
Further exploitation of the area led to the dismantling of several illegal refining sites and equipment. The team also recovered significant quantities of suspected stolen crude oil, as well as illegally refined products including Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK).
Speaking on the development, the Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder, Mutalib Raji, commended the patrol team for their professionalism and operational vigilance in the successful conduct of the mission.
He noted that the outcome further underscores the operational effectiveness of Operation Delta Sentinel in combating crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other forms of economic sabotage in the Niger Delta.
Commodore Raji also reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to sustaining intensified operations and strengthening collaboration with other security agencies and stakeholders to protect critical national assets and safeguard the nation’s economic interests.
