By Harriet Tornguvan
The Nigerian Navy has recorded a major success in its ongoing campaign against crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta, uncovering a massive stockpile of illegally refined petroleum products and deactivating a reactivated illegal refining site in Rivers State.
The operation, conducted under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, was carried out by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH following credible intelligence on illicit activities around the Egboama/Ogbogolo axis of Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operation was supported by aerial surveillance and targeted a known hotspot for illegal refining activities in the region.
Folorunsho disclosed that the naval personnel discovered an illegal refining site containing approximately 30,000 litres of suspected illegally sourced crude oil and 138,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel.
The products were reportedly stored in reservoirs, refining facilities and more than 1,200 sacks strategically concealed within the area for onward distribution.
The Navy noted that preliminary investigations revealed that the site had been reactivated by criminal elements despite previous enforcement actions, highlighting the determination of oil theft syndicates to rebuild illegal refining infrastructure across the Niger Delta.
“The operation resulted in the deactivation of the illegal refining site and the disruption of a significant fuel distribution network linked to economic sabotage in the region,” the statement said.
It added that all recovered products and associated facilities were handled in line with established anti-crude oil theft procedures.
The Nigerian Navy reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL to dismantle crude oil theft networks, deny economic saboteurs freedom of action and safeguard Nigeria's critical energy infrastructure.
The latest breakthrough is part of ongoing efforts by security agencies to curb oil theft, boost crude oil production and protect national economic interests in the Niger Delta region.
