Nigerian Navy Dismantles Illegal Refining Complex, Recovers 205,680 Litres of Petroleum Products in Rivers

The Nigerian Navy has recorded a major breakthrough in its ongoing campaign against crude oil theft, dismantling a large illegal refining complex and recovering over 205,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products in Rivers State.

The operation, carried out under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, followed credible intelligence that led personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH to a newly established illegal refining network located within the Egboama/Ogbogolo axis of Ahoada West Local Government Area.

According to a statement issued by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operation led to the discovery and deactivation of three illegal refining sites comprising six refining ovens, three reservoirs and four dugout pits.

He disclosed that the facilities contained about 38,500 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil and approximately 167,180 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), bringing the total volume of recovered petroleum products to 205,680 litres.

Folorunsho said the operation represents one of the Nigerian Navy's most significant operational successes under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, noting that the scale of the discovery highlights the sophistication of criminal networks involved in crude oil theft and illegal refining in the Niger Delta.

He explained that dismantling the refining infrastructure before it could sustain further illicit production dealt a major blow to criminal syndicates responsible for economic sabotage, environmental pollution and the loss of national revenue.

The Navy spokesman added that the illegal refining facilities and all recovered petroleum products were handled in line with established anti-crude oil theft procedures, thereby preventing economic saboteurs from accessing infrastructure and products used to sustain their illegal operations.

He reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy's commitment to maintaining the operational momentum of Operation DELTA SENTINEL by targeting the infrastructure, logistics and supply chains that support crude oil theft and illegal refining across the Niger Delta.

Folorunsho stressed that the Navy remains steadfast in protecting Nigeria's maritime domain and critical oil and gas assets through sustained intelligence-driven operations aimed at strengthening national economic security.