The Nigerian Navy has disrupted two illegal refining sites and recovered approximately 53,000 litres of suspected stolen petroleum products in Okarki Community, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Confirming the report Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho said the operation was conducted on November 11, 2026, by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, following credible intelligence on illegal oil bunkering activities in the area.
The Navy disclosed that the two illegal refining sites contained about eight dugout pits and storage containers holding an estimated 23,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and 30,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
The facilities and recovered petroleum products were handled in accordance with established procedures for combating crude oil theft and illegal refining.
No arrests were made during the operation, as the suspected operators reportedly fled before the arrival of the naval personnel.
The latest operation, according to the Navy, reinforces its sustained efforts to dismantle illegal refining infrastructure and disrupt networks responsible for crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.
It also builds on an earlier operation conducted by NNS PATHFINDER in the same general area on October 10, 2026, during which three illegal refining sites were discovered and deactivated.
The Navy said the successive operations demonstrated its determination to deny economic saboteurs access to the nation’s petroleum resources.
It reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL to protect critical oil and gas infrastructure, support national crude oil production and safeguard Nigeria’s economic interests.
