The Nigerian Navy has disrupted an attempt by suspected oil thieves to revive illegal refining activities in Rivers State, recovering approximately 103,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
The operation was carried out on August 22, 2026, by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER following credible intelligence on the activities of illegal refiners around the Ohaji axis of Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of the state.
The Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said naval personnel discovered and disrupted three illegal refining sites during the operation.
According to him, the sites contained 12 dugout pits, sacks and reservoirs filled with suspected illegally refined petroleum products, as well as two pumping machines.
Folorunsho said the latest operation came barely a week after NNS PATHFINDER disrupted two other illegal refining sites in the same general area on August 15.
He explained that the successive operations had restricted attempts by criminal groups to rebuild illegal refining infrastructure in the area.
“Those successive interventions have constrained efforts by criminal elements to rebuild illegal refining infrastructure, with a noticeable decline in the reactivation of such sites,” he said.
The recovered petroleum products, refining sites and equipment were handled in accordance with established procedures for combating crude oil theft and other forms of economic sabotage, the Navy said.
Suspected Operators Escape
The Navy disclosed that no arrest was made during the operation because the suspected operators fled the area before the arrival of the naval personnel.
Folorunsho said the latest operation demonstrated the impact of sustained naval pressure on infrastructure used to support illegal refining and crude oil theft.
He noted that continued disruption of such facilities would make it increasingly difficult for criminal elements to restore their illicit operations and undermine Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
The Director of Naval Information reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to sustaining Operation DELTA SENTINEL, aimed at protecting Nigeria’s oil and gas assets, curbing economic sabotage and creating a safer environment for legitimate production and investment.
He added that the Navy would continue operations to deny criminal elements access to facilities and infrastructure used for crude oil theft and illegal refining.
