By Chimezie Godfrey
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, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, saying the operation was carried out under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.
Folorunsho said personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH conducted the operation on August 21, 2026, following credible intelligence on the suspected reactivation of illegal refining activities in the Okolomade and Ogbogolo areas of Rivers State.
According to him, the operation uncovered three illegal refining sites and two makeshift camps allegedly used as shelters by illegal refiners.
He said the operatives also discovered two cooking drums, two large ovens, 10 reservoirs and four storage facilities linked to the illegal refining activities.
“Approximately 91,000 litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil and about 70 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined AGO were recovered,” Folorunsho said.
He explained that the sites, recovered products and associated materials were handled in accordance with established procedures.
According to him, the action effectively disrupted the reactivated illegal refining facilities and denied the operators the infrastructure needed to resume their activities.
Folorunsho said the latest operation was part of the Navy’s sustained efforts to prevent criminal elements from rebuilding illegal refining infrastructure in areas previously affected by crude oil theft.
He said the Navy would continue to mount pressure on operators of illegal refining networks and other economic saboteurs.
“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.