Odita Sunday 
Navy Disrupts Reactivated Illegal Refining Sites, Recovers 91,000 Litres of Stolen Crude in Rivers
By Odita Sunday
The Nigerian Navy has disrupted three illegal refining sites and recovered about 91,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil in Rivers State, the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, has said.
Folorunsho disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, saying the operation was conducted by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH on August 21, 2026, following credible intelligence on the suspected reactivation of illegal refining activities in the Okolomade and Ogbogolo areas of the state.
According to him, the operation was carried out under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, the Nigerian Navy’s ongoing campaign against crude oil theft and illegal refining in the Niger Delta.
He said the operation led to the discovery and disruption of three illegal refining sites, alongside two makeshift camps suspected to have provided shelter for illegal refiners.
“Two cooking drums, two large ovens, 10 reservoirs and four storage facilities associated with illegal refining activities were uncovered,” Folorunsho said.
He added that the operatives recovered approximately 91,000 litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil and about 70 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
Folorunsho said the illegal refining sites, recovered products and other materials were handled in accordance with established procedures.
He explained that the action had effectively disrupted the reactivated facilities and denied the operators the infrastructure required to resume their activities.
According to him, the latest operation demonstrates the Navy’s continued effort to prevent criminal elements from rebuilding illegal refining infrastructure in areas previously affected by crude oil theft and illegal refining.
“The Nigerian Navy remains resolute in sustaining Operation DELTA SENTINEL to degrade the infrastructure supporting crude oil theft, protect critical national assets and safeguard Nigeria’s oil and gas resources from economic saboteurs,” he said.
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