Navy
In a fresh blow to illegal refining networks in the Niger Delta, operatives of the Nigerian Navy have seized and deactivated 33,800 litres of stolen crude oil and refined petroleum products in Rivers State under Operation DELTA SENTINEL
The operation, carried out on Friday by personnel from the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH, dismantled two active illegal refining hubs in Ogbogolo Community, located in the Ahoada West Local Government Area.
According to an operational update released on Sunday by the Director of Naval Information, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the raid was executed following credible intelligence tracking criminal activities in the axis.
A breakdown of the recovered products includes approximately 28,520 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) commonly known as diesel and 5,280 litres of stolen crude oil.
During the sweep, naval forces also impounded and neutralized processing and storage equipment at the sites, including 48 sacks, three dugout pits, two storage kegs, and three cooking drums used for boiling crude into refined fuel.
No suspects were taken into custody during the raid, as illicit operators evacuated the camp prior to the arrival of naval troops.
“The latest operation reflects the efficiency of the Navy’s strategy of persistent surveillance, intelligence-led operations, and targeted disruption of the infrastructure and networks that sustain crude oil theft,” Capt. Folorunsho stated.
Reaffirming the military’s mandate, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, instructed all naval formations and units across the Niger Delta to maintain relentless pressure on oil theft syndicates.
Vice Admiral Abbas charged personnel to deny criminal actors freedom of movement, safeguard critical energy infrastructure, and foster a secure environment for legal commerce. He emphasized that the Navy will continue leveraging its Maritime Domain Awareness assets alongside intelligence partnerships with local communities and sister agencies to protect national economic interests and boost crude production.
