NAVY UNCOVERS TWO ILLEGAL REFINERIES IN RIVERS, RECOVERS 33,800 LITERS OF STOLEN AND ILLEGALLY REFINED PETROLEUM PRODUCTS

The Nigerian Navy has announced the recovery of approximately 33,800 liters of stolen and illegally refined petroleum products after uncovering and deactivating two illegal refining sites in Rivers State.

The operation was carried out on Friday by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, but the Navy disclosed the results on Sunday, September 27.

According to an operational report issued by the Director of Naval Information, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, personnel acting on intelligence discovered the two sites at Ogbogolo Community in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

The Navy said approximately 28,520 liters of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, commonly known as diesel, and another 5,280 liters of stolen crude oil were recovered.

Together, the petroleum products amounted to approximately 33,800 liters.

SUSPECTED OPERATORS FLEE

No arrests were made during the operation.

According to the Navy, those allegedly operating the sites fled after sighting naval personnel approaching the area.

Officers also discovered 48 sacks, three dugout pits, two kegs and three cooking drums allegedly being used for the storage and processing of petroleum products.

The facilities were subsequently deactivated as part of the Navy's continuing campaign against crude oil theft and illegal refining operations in the Niger Delta.

ANOTHER OPERATION IN THE SAME COMMUNITY

Ogbogolo has recently featured in another major naval operation targeting suspected oil theft.

Earlier in September, personnel operating under Operation DELTA SENTINEL uncovered approximately 119,850 liters of suspected stolen crude oil at another illegal refining site in the same community.

The Navy also reported recovering illegally refined petroleum products during that operation.

As with Friday's operation, suspects reportedly fled before they could be arrested.

The repeated discoveries highlight the continuing challenge security agencies face in dismantling illegal refining infrastructure across parts of the Niger Delta.

NAVY VOWS TO KEEP UP PRESSURE

Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Idi Abbas has directed naval formations and units to maintain pressure on networks involved in crude oil theft and illegal refining.

The Navy says its strategy combines surveillance, intelligence-led operations and targeted action against infrastructure used to sustain the illegal petroleum trade.

Authorities are also seeking to protect oil and gas infrastructure while improving security for legitimate economic activities across the Niger Delta.

Nigeria has battled crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and illegal refining for years.

Beyond the economic losses, makeshift refining operations have also been associated with environmental damage and deadly explosions.

The Navy says Operation DELTA SENTINEL will continue targeting the infrastructure and networks supporting the illegal trade.

For the latest operation in Ogbogolo, however, the facilities and petroleum products were discovered but the suspected operators escaped.