Navy Destroys Illegal Refining Site, Three Storage Tanks In Rivers

The Nigerian Navy has dismantled an illegal refining site and destroyed three storage tanks used for crude oil processing and storage in Promise Land Community, along Nanabie Creek, Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The operation was conducted by the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny under Operation DELTA SENTINEL as part of efforts to disrupt crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in the area.

In a statement issued by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the illegal refining site was discovered on September 30, 2026, following credible intelligence.

According to the statement, the site comprised one large cooking pot and three large storage tanks believed to have been installed for illegal refining operations.

It said the Commanding Officer, FOB Bonny, Captain SMC Umeh, led a team to the location on October 2, where the illegal refining site and associated equipment were destroyed in line with established regulations.

The Navy said the intervention had further disrupted the capacity of criminal operators to process and store stolen crude oil within the Bonny area.

It added that the operation followed recent activities by FOB Bonny under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, which uncovered substantial quantities of suspected stolen crude oil and other illegal refining infrastructure within its area of operations.

The Navy said it would continue to strengthen surveillance and monitoring across the area to prevent the establishment or reactivation of illegal refining sites.

It reiterated its commitment to denying criminal operators the infrastructure required to sustain crude oil theft and related activities.