Navy Dismantles Two Illegal Refineries, Seizes 53,000 Litres of Petroleum Products in Rivers
The Nigerian Navy has dismantled two illegal refining sites and recovered approximately 53,000 litres of suspected stolen petroleum products in Okarki community, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The operation, conducted on November 11, 2026, by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, followed credible intelligence on illegal petroleum activities in the area.
The recovered products comprised approximately 23,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and 30,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), found in about eight dugout pits and storage containers across the two sites.
The Navy said the illegal refining facilities and recovered products were handled in accordance with established procedures for combating crude oil theft and illegal refining.
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No arrests were made during the operation as the suspected operators reportedly fled before the arrival of the naval personnel.
The operation is part of the Navy’s sustained campaign to dismantle illegal refining networks, curb crude oil theft and protect the country’s critical oil and gas infrastructure.
It also follows an earlier operation by NNS PATHFINDER in the same general area on October 10, 2026, during which three illegal refining sites were discovered and deactivated.
The Navy said the successive operations demonstrated its determination to deny criminal networks access to the nation’s petroleum resources and prevent further economic losses associated with crude oil theft and illegal bunkering.
In a statement, the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.
He said the operations were aimed at protecting critical oil and gas facilities, supporting national crude oil production and safeguarding Nigeria’s economic interests.
By PRNigeria
