The seized products and dismantled facilities were handled in accordance with standard procedures for tackling crude oil theft and illegal refining operations
By Moses Okorie
The Nigerian Navy, operating under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, has dismantled three illegal refining camps in Rivers State and confiscated about 85,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
This was contained in an operational update released on Sunday in Abuja by the Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho.
He stated that the operation was executed by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER in the Egbema area of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, following actionable intelligence on the activities of suspected crude oil thieves in the region.
According to him, the raid uncovered three illegal refining locations featuring eight dugout pits, storage sacks, and reservoirs containing the suspected stolen and illegally refined AGO.
Folorunsho explained that the seized products and dismantled facilities were handled in accordance with standard procedures for tackling crude oil theft and illegal refining operations.
He further revealed that the latest success occurred just two weeks after NNS PATHFINDER had previously shut down two illegal refining sites in the same general area on August 3.
He noted that the recurring disruption of such sites highlights the Navy’s ongoing efforts to stop criminal groups from re-establishing illegal refining hubs and rebuilding destroyed infrastructure.
The naval spokesman added that sustained pressure from maritime security operations is beginning to yield measurable results, including a noticeable reduction in the reactivation of previously destroyed illegal refining sites.
He said this trend underscores the increasing effectiveness of continuous military action against crude oil theft networks and illicit refining activities.
Folorunsho reiterated the Nigerian Navy’s resolve to safeguard national economic assets, dismantle illegal petroleum distribution chains, and support government initiatives aimed at strengthening the oil and gas industry.
He also assured that the Navy will continue to intensify its operations to protect Nigeria’s petroleum resources from criminal exploitation.