By Miriam Humbe
The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, destroying four illegal refining sites and recovering an estimated 77,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil in Rivers State.
Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said in a statement that the operation was launched after credible intelligence revealed attempts by economic saboteurs to reactivate previously dismantled illegal refining infrastructure in the area.
The operation, conducted under Operation Delta Sentinel, was carried out by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH on May 31, 2026, following intelligence reports of renewed illegal refining activities in the Egboama/Ogbogolo axis of Ahoada West Local Government Area.
According to the statement, the anti-crude oil theft team executed a coordinated operation supported by aerial surveillance and riverine mobility assets to navigate the difficult creek terrain. Drone reconnaissance later identified multiple illegal refining locations concealed within the area.
The Navy said that exploitation of the sites led to the discovery of four illegal refining camps equipped with refining ovens, dugout pits and storage facilities containing approximately 77,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil.
Investigations further revealed that criminal elements had been actively rebuilding refining infrastructure that had been destroyed during previous enforcement operations.
The operation resulted in the deactivation of four illegal refining sites, including three refining ovens, two dugout pits and a reservoir used to support the illicit refining activities.
Folorunsho noted that the latest discovery highlights the determination of crude oil theft syndicates to regenerate their operations despite repeated military interventions, while also demonstrating the effectiveness of sustained intelligence gathering, surveillance and rapid-response operations being conducted under Operation Delta Sentinel.
“All identified sites and products were handled in accordance with established anti-crude oil theft procedures, thereby denying criminal elements access to resources intended to sustain economic sabotage,” the statement said.
The Nigerian Navy reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining aggressive intelligence-led operations across the Niger Delta to dismantle illegal refining networks, protect critical national assets and safeguard Nigeria’s economic interests.
The latest success adds to ongoing efforts by security agencies to curb crude oil theft and illegal refining, which continue to pose significant threats to the nation’s economy and the environment.
