The Nigerian Navy has disrupted two illegal refining sites and recovered approximately 58,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in Rivers State.
The operation was carried out on October 3, 2026, by the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER, a unit under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, at Okarki Community in Ahoada West Local Government Area of the state.
According to a statement signed by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, “the operation followed credible intelligence on suspected crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in the area.”
He said, “The sites contained nine dugout pits, storage containers and sacks laden with products suspected to be stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products”.
Captain Folorunsho said, “The intervention denied criminal operators access to facilities used to store and process stolen petroleum resources, thereby disrupting the supply chain supporting illegal refining activities in the area”.
The two illegal refining sites and recovered products were handled in accordance with established anti-crude oil theft procedures.
The Navy, however, said no arrest was made as the suspected operators fled before the arrival of the naval team.
The operation forms part of ongoing efforts under Operation DELTA SENTINEL to combat crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in Nigeria’s oil-producing area.
