By Chimezie Godfrey
The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta, disrupting three illegal refining sites and recovering approximately 85,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in Rivers State.
The operation, conducted under Operation DELTA SENTINEL by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER, took place in the Egbema axis of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State following credible intelligence on the activities of criminal elements in the area.
According to a statement by the Director Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operation led to the discovery of three illegal refining sites containing eight dugout pits, sacks and reservoirs filled with the suspected illegally refined AGO.
He said the illegal refining sites and recovered products were subsequently handled in accordance with established procedures for tackling crude oil theft and illegal refining.
The latest operation came barely two weeks after NNS PATHFINDER disrupted two illegal refining sites in the same general area on August 3, 2026.
The Nigerian Navy said the repeated disruption of the illegal refining activities was part of sustained efforts to prevent criminal elements from rebuilding illicit refining infrastructure and regaining operational footholds in the area.
The Navy also said sustained operational pressure had contributed to a decline in the reactivation of illegal refining sites, describing the development as an indication of the growing impact of its operations against crude oil theft and illegal refining networks.
Folorunsho said the Nigerian Navy remained committed to sustaining Operation DELTA SENTINEL to protect critical national assets, disrupt illegal petroleum supply chains and support the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen the oil and gas sector.
He added that the operations were also aimed at safeguarding Nigeria’s economic interests.
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