The Nigerian Navy has uncovered two suspected illegal refining sites containing approximately 62,050 litres of petroleum products in Ogbogolo community, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, as part of its ongoing crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal refining in the Niger Delta.
The operation, conducted on September 8, 2026, by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, led to the discovery of 31 dugout pits containing about 58,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and 4,050 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel.
The naval team also recovered six sacks and one keg containing additional quantities of suspected illegally refined AGO.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the sites were located within the Orashi Forest and the wider Ogbogolo area.
The statement said the discovered facilities and petroleum products were handled in accordance with extant regulations.
However, no arrests were made during the operation, as the suspected operators reportedly fled upon sighting the naval personnel.
The Navy said Operation DELTA SENTINEL had recorded several successful operations since its inception, reinforcing its commitment to tackling crude oil theft and dismantling illegal refining networks across the Niger Delta.
It added that the operations were aimed at denying criminal elements access to facilities used for the storage and processing of stolen petroleum products, while safeguarding Nigeria’s oil resources and economic interests.
The latest discovery underscores the continued efforts of the Nigerian Navy to curb illegal petroleum activities in the Niger Delta, where crude oil theft and unauthorised refining pose significant threats to the country’s revenue, environmental protection and energy security.
