Navy Dismantles Illegal Refineries, Crude Theft Network in Rivers
The Nigerian Navy has deactivated three illegal refinery sites and dismantled a crude oil theft network in Rivers State under its ongoing anti-crude oil theft operation, codenamed Operation DELTA SENTINEL.
The operation, carried out by Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER, targeted criminal facilities in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni area of Rivers State. During the raid, naval operatives uncovered and deactivated three illegal refining sites, five refining ovens, and 25 dugout pits used for illicit petroleum processing.
Read Also:
According to the Navy, the team also discovered a wellhead that had been illegally tapped to siphon crude oil into makeshift refining camps. Significant quantities of refined petroleum products, including Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), and Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), were recovered during the operation.
The service stated that all illegal facilities and materials were dismantled in compliance with existing anti-crude oil theft directives, thereby averting substantial economic losses to the nation and preventing further environmental degradation in the oil-producing region.
Commander of NNS PATHFINDER, Commodore Mutalib Raji, commended the patrol team for their professionalism and vigilance. He reaffirmed the Navy’s resolve to sustain intelligence-driven operations aimed at combating maritime crimes and protecting Nigeria’s critical oil infrastructure.
The Navy also called on members of the public to continue providing credible information to security agencies to support efforts to curb crude oil theft and related criminal activities in the Niger Delta.
By PRNigeria
