The Nigerian Navy has intensified its campaign against crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta, dismantling four illegal refining sites in Rivers State and recovering about 43,000 litres of suspected illegally refined petroleum products in one of its latest intelligence-led operations.
The operation, conducted under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, was carried out by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER in the Egbema axis of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, an area that has remained a hotspot for crude oil theft and illicit refining.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Director of Naval Information, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, naval operatives acted on credible intelligence to locate and dismantle the illegal refining cluster.
The operation resulted in the recovery of approximately 28,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, and 15,000 litres of suspected Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK). The petroleum products were reportedly concealed in dugout pits, reservoirs and sacks to evade detection.
Folorunsho said the illegal refining infrastructure was destroyed on-site, while the recovered products were handled in accordance with established procedures for anti-crude oil theft operations.
He noted that the latest raid represents another significant setback for criminal networks that continue to reactivate illegal refining sites despite repeated security interventions.
“The continued attempts to reactivate these facilities underscore the determination of crude oil theft syndicates to sustain their illicit enterprise. However, the Nigerian Navy has remained equally resolute in denying them the opportunity to regain operational footholds,” he said.
Illegal refining remains one of the biggest challenges confronting Nigeria’s oil industry, contributing to crude oil losses, pipeline vandalism, environmental degradation and lower government revenue. Industry experts say dismantling illegal refining operations is critical to improving crude production, protecting energy infrastructure and strengthening investor confidence in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.
The latest seizure follows a series of successful operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL. In recent weeks, naval personnel uncovered a concealed illegal fuel storage facility in Rivers State where approximately 11,800 litres of suspected illegally refined diesel were recovered. Earlier, another operation in Bonny Local Government Area led to the discovery of an illegal crude oil storage site containing about 20,500 litres of suspected stolen crude oil.
The Nigerian Navy said it would sustain intelligence-driven operations across the Niger Delta to dismantle criminal networks involved in crude oil theft and illegal refining.
The service reiterated that protecting Nigeria’s maritime environment and safeguarding the country’s oil and gas infrastructure remain central to its mandate, as security agencies continue efforts to curb economic sabotage and improve the nation’s energy security.
