Oil Theft: Navy Uncovers 3 Illegal Refineries, 6 Reservoirs in Rivers, Delta
The Nigerian Navy has uncovered three suspected illegal refining sites and six reservoirs containing about 99,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in Rivers and Delta states.
The discoveries were made during separate operations conducted by Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH and NNS DELTA on August 31, 2026, following credible intelligence on suspected illegal petroleum activities.
According to a statement by the Director Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operations uncovered illegal refining infrastructure, including a large refining oven, storage facilities and dugout reservoirs containing suspected stolen crude oil.
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The Navy said the combined discoveries represent a significant disruption to illicit petroleum activities, particularly the storage and processing infrastructure used to sustain crude oil theft and illegal refining.
It added that the identified sites, facilities and recovered products were handled in accordance with established procedures.
The latest operations, the Navy said, demonstrate its capacity to sustain pressure against criminal networks across multiple operational areas while denying them the infrastructure needed to continue crude oil theft and illegal refining.
The Navy reiterated its commitment to intensifying operations against crude oil theft and other illegal petroleum activities across the country’s maritime and oil-producing areas.
By PRNigeria
