Navy operatives have dismantled four illegal refining sites in Rivers State, recovering 43,000 litres of suspected illegally refined petroleum products during an intelligence-led operation targeting crude oil theft.
The Nigerian Navy has dismantled four illegal refining sites and recovered about 43,000 litres of suspected illegally refined petroleum products during an intelligence-led operation in Rivers State.
The successful operation was disclosed in an operational report issued on Saturday, July 11, 2026, by the Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho.
According to the report, personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER, operating under Operation Delta Sentinel, carried out the raid within the Egbema axis of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area following credible intelligence.
Folorunsho said the targeted anti-crude oil theft operation led to the discovery of four illegal refining sites where approximately 28,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 15,000 litres of suspected Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) were concealed in dugout pits, reservoirs and sacks.
He stated that the illegal refining infrastructure was dismantled immediately, while the recovered petroleum products were handled in line with established anti-crude oil theft procedures.
The naval spokesman described the latest operation as another major blow to criminal networks operating in the area, noting that illegal refining sites have continued to re-emerge despite repeated enforcement actions.
According to him, the persistent efforts by crude oil theft syndicates to reactivate the facilities demonstrate their determination to sustain illegal operations, but the Nigerian Navy remains committed to preventing them from regaining operational footholds.
Folorunsho added that by continuously targeting reactivated refining sites, the Navy is weakening the operational capacity of crude oil theft networks, disrupting illegal petroleum production and protecting Nigeria’s critical oil and gas infrastructure from economic sabotage.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks, denying economic saboteurs freedom of action and safeguarding the nation’s maritime environment and economic interests.
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