Odita Sunday 
Navy Foils Illegal Refinery Expansion, Recovers 104,000 Litres of Suspected Stolen Crude in Rivers
By Odita Sunday
The Nigerian Navy has thwarted an attempt by crude oil theft syndicates to expand an illegal refining network in Rivers State, recovering about 104,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil during a major anti-oil theft operation under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.
According to a statement on Tuesday by the Director of Naval Information, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny carried out the operation in Bonny Local Government Area following credible intelligence on the activities of illegal refiners.
Folorunsho said the operation targeted criminal infrastructure hidden within the Wakama/Bolo and Aworkiri communities, denying economic saboteurs the opportunity to establish new illegal refining locations and continue illicit petroleum production.
He disclosed that the naval personnel uncovered nine illegal refining sites comprising 23 dugout pits during the operation.
”Of the 23 pits discovered, 18 contained an estimated 104,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil, while five newly excavated pits, prepared for imminent use, were neutralised before they could become operational,” he said.
The Navy spokesman added that operatives also recovered eight locally fabricated refining pots and three large storage tanks used in the illegal refining process.
”All illegal facilities and recovered products were handled in accordance with extant anti-crude oil theft procedures,” Folorunsho stated.
He noted that the latest operation underscores the Nigerian Navy’s sustained efforts to not only dismantle existing illegal refining operations but also prevent criminal syndicates from rebuilding their infrastructure.
According to him, by targeting both active and emerging illegal refining hubs, the Navy is steadily degrading the operational capacity of crude oil theft syndicates while protecting Nigeria’s strategic oil and gas assets.
”The Nigerian Navy remains steadfast in sustaining intelligence-driven operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL to dismantle criminal logistics, protect strategic national assets, and preserve the integrity of the nation’s oil and gas sector,” the statement added.
The latest operation is part of the Nigerian Navy’s ongoing nationwide campaign against crude oil theft and illegal refining, aimed at boosting crude oil production, safeguarding critical national infrastructure and curbing economic sabotage in the Niger Delta.
About the Author
