Troops of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) Escravos have uncovered and dismantled two illegal refining sites in Obodo Omadino, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, as part of ongoing efforts under Operation DELTA SANITY.
The operation, conducted on Sunday, May 11, 2025, led to the deactivation of one refining oven, seven dugout pits, and the seizure of numerous sacks filled with illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and stolen crude oil. The illegal sites were discovered following intelligence-led surveillance aimed at curbing oil theft and environmental degradation in the region.
Operation DELTA SANITY, launched by the Nigerian Navy earlier this year, is a comprehensive maritime security initiative focused on dismantling illicit refining infrastructure, intercepting smuggling operations, and protecting Nigeria’s critical oil assets in the Niger Delta. The initiative is also geared toward improving economic stability by safeguarding national revenue from crude oil theft and illegal bunkering.
In a statement following the successful operation, the Nigerian Navy reiterated its resolve to sustain aggressive patrols and clearance operations in known hotspots across Delta and neighboring states. It further appealed to local communities to continue providing credible intelligence that would support security agencies in eradicating economic sabotage and preserving the environment.
The destruction of these sites underscores ongoing efforts to disrupt the operations of oil thieves and illegal refiners whose activities have contributed significantly to pollution, loss of government revenue, and damage to host community livelihoods.
The Navy emphasized that the seized materials and dismantled facilities have been properly handled in accordance with extant environmental protection guidelines, to mitigate further ecological impact.
