NIGERIAN NAVY DESTROYS THREE ILLEGAL REFINERIES, RECOVERS 85,000 LITRES OF DIESEL IN RIVERS
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By:Tajudeen Aminat
The Nigerian Navy has intensified its operations against crude oil theft and illegal refining activities under Operation Delta Sentinel, leading to the destruction of three illegal refining sites and the recovery of about 85,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in Rivers State.
The Director of Naval Information, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement, saying personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Pathfinder, carried out the operation in the Egbema area of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area.
According to him, the operation followed credible intelligence on the activities of suspected oil thieves and illegal refiners operating in the area.
The Navy said its operatives discovered three illegal refining sites containing eight dugout pits, sacks and reservoirs filled with approximately 85,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined AGO.
The illegal facilities and recovered petroleum products were subsequently handled in line with established procedures for combating crude oil theft and illegal refining.
The Navy said the latest operation came barely two weeks after NNS Pathfinder disrupted two illegal refining sites in the same area on August 3, 2026.
It noted that the continued targeting of illegal refining facilities was aimed at preventing criminal elements from rebuilding their operations and establishing new bases in the region.
The Navy also said sustained military pressure had contributed to a reduction in the reactivation of illegal refining sites, describing the development as evidence of the growing effectiveness of continuous operations against crude oil theft and illicit petroleum activities.
The Nigerian Navy reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining Operation Delta Sentinel to protect critical national assets, disrupt illegal petroleum supply chains and support the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen the oil and gas sector.
It added that the operations were also aimed at protecting Nigeria’s economic interests and curbing activities that undermine the country’s petroleum industry.
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