***Halts Expansion Of Illegal Refining Network
By Miriam Humbe
The Nigerian Navy has dealt another major setback to crude oil theft syndicates by preventing the expansion of an illegal refining network in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, further reinforcing its resolve to safeguard Nigeria’s critical oil and gas infrastructure under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.
Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the
Director Naval Information disclosed this in a statement.
The operation, conducted by personnel of Forward Operating Base (FOB) BONNY following actionable intelligence, targeted criminal infrastructure concealed within the Wakama/Bolo and Aworkiri communities.
The operation denied economic saboteurs the opportunity to activate new refining locations and sustain illicit petroleum production.
During the operation, personnel uncovered nine illegal refining sites comprising 23 dugout pits.
Eighteen of the pits contained an estimated 104,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil, while five newly excavated pits, prepared for imminent use, were neutralised before they could become operational.
Also recovered were eight locally fabricated refining pots and three large storage tanks, further disrupting the criminal network’s refining capability. All illegal facilities and recovered products were handled in accordance with extant anti-crude oil theft procedures.
The latest success highlights the Nigerian Navy’s determination not only to disrupt illegal refining activities but also to prevent criminal networks from rebuilding their infrastructure.
By targeting both active and emerging illegal refining hubs, the Service continues to weaken the operational resilience of crude oil theft syndicates and protect Nigeria’s economic interests.
The Nigerian Navy remains steadfast in sustaining intelligence-driven operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL to dismantle criminal logistics, protect strategic national assets, and preserve the integrity of the nation’s oil and gas sector.
