The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal refining activities with the dismantling of a reactivated illegal refining cluster along the Rivers–Bayelsa border corridor.
According to a statement by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operation, carried out by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS SOROH, under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, followed intelligence reports indicating renewed illegal refining activities around the Egboama/Ogbogolo community in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State.
According to the Navy, the mission involved a coordinated land and water assault supported by aerial surveillance to identify concealed refining infrastructure within the creek environment.
Drone reconnaissance exposed several illegal refining sites hidden within the terrain. Subsequent operations at the locations led to the discovery of refining ovens, dugout pits, storage facilities, and equipment linked to the processing and transportation of illegally refined petroleum products.
Naval personnel reportedly recovered about 5,500 litres of substances suspected to be crude oil and 3,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). Other items recovered included generators, welding machines, and materials believed to be used for the expansion and reactivation of the illegal refining camps.
The Navy said the discoveries indicated attempts by criminal networks to rebuild refining infrastructure previously dismantled during earlier anti-crude oil theft operations in the area.
All identified sites and equipment were subsequently deactivated in line with operational procedures, while surveillance and follow-up monitoring of adjoining creek corridors continue.
The Nigerian Navy stated that ongoing operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL are focused on preventing the resurgence of illegal refining camps and dismantling support structures sustaining crude oil theft networks in the Niger Delta.
The Service reaffirmed its commitment to intelligence-driven operations aimed at protecting critical national assets, safeguarding the maritime environment, and denying economic saboteurs freedom of operation within the region.
