Navy Disrupts Three Illegal Refining Sites, Recovers 85,000 Litres of AGO in Rivers

By Harriet Tornguvan 

The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal refining activities, disrupting three illegal refining sites and recovering about 85,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in Rivers State.

The operation, conducted under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, was carried out by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER in the Egbema axis of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of the state.

Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folarunsho, said the operation followed credible intelligence on the continued activities of criminal elements operating in the area.

He said the naval personnel discovered three illegal refining sites comprising eight dugout pits, sacks and reservoirs containing approximately 85,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined AGO.

According to him, the illegal refining sites and recovered products were subsequently handled in line with established procedures for combating crude oil theft and illegal refining.

The latest operation came barely two weeks after NNS PATHFINDER disrupted two other illegal refining sites within the same general area on August 3, 2026.

Folarunsho said the repeated disruption of illegal refining activities demonstrated the Navy’s sustained efforts to prevent criminal elements from re-establishing their foothold and rebuilding illicit refining infrastructure.

He added that the continued pressure was already yielding positive results, particularly with a decline in the reactivation of illegal refining sites in the area.

The Navy said the development reflected the growing impact of sustained operations in degrading crude oil theft networks and illegal petroleum supply chains.

The Nigerian Navy reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining Operation DELTA SENTINEL to protect critical national assets, disrupt illegal petroleum activities and support the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen the oil and gas sector.

It said the operation would also remain focused on safeguarding Nigeria’s economic interests by curbing activities capable of undermining the nation’s petroleum resources.