The Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder has deactivated three illegal refinery sites in Rivers State under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, in a move aimed at dismantling crude oil theft networks in the Niger Delta.
The operation, conducted in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni axis, led to the destruction of three illegal refining sites, five ovens, and 25 dugout pits used for illicit processing of stolen crude.
Naval operatives also uncovered a wellhead that had been illegally tapped to siphon crude oil into makeshift refining camps. Significant quantities of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), and Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) were recovered during the raid.
According to the Navy, all illegal facilities and materials were dismantled in line with existing anti-crude oil theft directives, a move authorities said helped avert substantial economic losses and mitigate environmental degradation in the area.
The Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder, Mutalib Raji, commended the patrol team for their professionalism and operational success. He reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to sustained, intelligence-driven operations against maritime crimes and called on members of the public to continue providing credible information to support security efforts.
