The Nigerian Navy has continued to maintain operational control over illegal refining hotspots in Rivers State through Operation DELTA SENTINEL, preventing criminal groups from rebuilding dismantled refining facilities.
The Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in an operational update issued on Sunday in Abuja.
Folorunsho said personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER had on July 10 uncovered and deactivated illegal refining sites in the Egbema axis of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
He explained that following the initial operation, some criminal elements attempted to restore activities at the abandoned sites, leading the navy to intensify surveillance and carry out further anti-crude oil theft operations in the area.
“During the latest operation, NNS PATHFINDER personnel rediscovered and deactivated two reactivated illegal refining sites, recovering approximately 76,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil.
“They also recovered 50,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) concealed in seven dugout pits and reservoirs, bringing the total volume of recovered petroleum products to over 126,000 litres,” he said.
According to Folorunsho, the operation highlights the navy’s resolve to prevent crude oil thieves from regaining a foothold or rebuilding illegal refining networks within its area of responsibility.
He added that all illegal refining sites and recovered petroleum products were processed in line with established anti-crude oil theft procedures, while operations against criminal activities in identified areas remained ongoing.
The naval spokesman reaffirmed the navy’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling illegal refining infrastructure, disrupting crude oil theft networks, protecting critical national assets and strengthening Nigeria’s economic security.
