By Odita Sunday
The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal refining activities, discovering approximately 99,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in separate operations across Rivers and Delta States.
The operations, conducted by Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH and NNS DELTA on 31 August 2026, also uncovered three suspected illegal refining sites, six reservoirs and various facilities believed to have been used for the storage and processing of illicit petroleum products.
The Navy said the operations followed credible intelligence on suspected illegal petroleum activities in the two states.
According to a statement signed by ABIODUN FOLORUNSHO, Navy Captain and Director Naval Information, Nigerian Navy, the operations led to the discovery of illegal refining infrastructure, including a large refining oven, storage facilities and dugout reservoirs containing suspected stolen crude oil.
The Navy described the combined discoveries as a significant disruption to illicit petroleum activities, particularly the storage and processing infrastructure required to sustain the illegal trade.
It said the identified sites, facilities and recovered products were appropriately handled in accordance with established procedures.
The latest operational gains, the Navy said, demonstrated its ability to sustain pressure against criminal networks across multiple operational areas while denying them the infrastructure required to perpetrate crude oil theft and illegal refining activities.
The Navy reaffirmed its ongoing efforts to combat crude oil theft and illegal refining as part of measures to protect Nigeria’s petroleum resources and disrupt activities capable of undermining the nation’s oil and gas sector.
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