The Nigerian Navy has dismantled two illegal refining sites and recovered approximately 58,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in Rivers State.
In a statement, Director of Naval Information Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho said the operation was carried out on October 3, 2026, by the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, following credible intelligence on suspected crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in Okarki Community, Ahoada West Local Government Area of the state.
According to the Navy, its personnel discovered two illegal refining sites containing nine dugout pits, storage containers and sacks filled with products suspected to be stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products.
The operation, the Navy said, disrupted activities at the sites and denied suspected oil thieves access to facilities allegedly used for the storage and processing of stolen petroleum resources.
The intervention also disrupted the supply chain supporting illegal refining operations in the area, as the naval team dismantled the facilities and recovered the suspected stolen and illegally refined products.
The Navy said the two illegal refining sites and the recovered products were handled in line with established procedures for combating crude oil theft and illegal refining.
No arrests were made during the operation, as the suspected operators reportedly fled the area before the arrival of the naval personnel.
The Nigerian Navy said the operation forms part of its ongoing efforts to curb crude oil theft, illegal refining and other forms of criminality in Nigeria’s oil-producing communities.
