By Chimezie Godfrey
The Nigerian Navy has recorded a major breakthrough in its anti-crude oil theft campaign with the discovery of about 168,000 litres of suspected illegally sourced petroleum products and the deactivation of an illegal refining site in Rivers State.
According to Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Naval Information, the operation was conducted under Operation DELTA SENTINEL by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH around the Egboama/Ogbogolo axis of Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State.
In a statement, Folorunsho said the operation followed credible intelligence on activities of oil theft syndicates operating in the area, which is regarded as a hotspot for illegal refining.
He disclosed that the operation, supported by aerial surveillance, led to the discovery of an illegal refining site containing approximately 30,000 litres of suspected illegally sourced crude oil and 138,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
The products, according to the Navy spokesman, were stored in reservoirs, refining facilities, and over 1,200 sacks strategically concealed across the area for onward distribution.
“Preliminary findings indicated that the site had been reactivated by criminal elements despite previous enforcement actions, underscoring the persistent efforts of oil theft syndicates to regenerate illegal refining infrastructure within the Niger Delta,” Folorunsho stated.
He noted that the operation resulted in the deactivation of the illegal refining site and disrupted a significant fuel distribution network linked to economic sabotage in the region.
According to him, all products and associated facilities were handled in accordance with extant anti-crude oil theft procedures.
Folorunsho reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL aimed at dismantling crude oil theft networks and protecting Nigeria’s critical energy infrastructure and economic interests.
Navy Uncovers 168,000 Litres of Illegal Petroleum Products in Rivers
