Naval Troops Deactivate 9 Illegal Refinery Camps in Ondo
The Nigerian Navy (NN) has intensified its fight against crude oil theft, deactivating nine illegal refinery camps in the Obe-Nla Riverine Community, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The operation was conducted under the ongoing Operation DELTA SANITY II, which was launched on December 30, 2024, by Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil).
During the raid on January 7, 2025, naval troops discovered and dismantled the interconnected refinery sites, which included five active reservoirs.
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Items seized during the operation included approximately 20,000 litres of crude oil, 1,400 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, pumping machines, and locally fabricated boats.
This operation is part of the Navy’s broader efforts to curb crude oil theft across Nigeria’s maritime domain.
In a related development, the Navy also intercepted a large wooden boat siphoning crude oil from the Enang C Platform in the Iko Area of Akwa Ibom State and discovered another illegal refining site in Bayelsa State.
Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, the Chief of Naval Staff, reiterated the Navy’s commitment to eradicating maritime crimes.
He emphasized that the Navy will continue to work tirelessly to secure Nigeria’s waterways, warning perpetrators of oil theft to desist from their activities as the NN plans to deploy armed drones to thwart such crimes.
