The Nigerian Navy has uncovered a suspected illegal refining site containing 114,500 litres of petroleum products in Rivers State, while a separate operation in Delta State led to the arrest of 10 suspects.
The Navy spokesman, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said both operations were carried out on Thursday, October 15, under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, aimed at tackling crude oil theft, illegal refining and other illegal activities in the Niger Delta.
According to him, personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH discovered the illegal refining site at Orashi Forest in Ogbogolo community, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, following credible intelligence.
The site contained 23 dugout pits, with five pits holding about 105,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), also known as diesel.
Another 18 pits contained about 9,500 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, bringing the total volume of petroleum products recovered to 114,500 litres.
The Navy said the suspected operators fled the area after sighting naval personnel, leaving the illegal refining site behind.
It added that the recovered petroleum products were handled in line with established procedures.
In a separate operation on the same day, naval personnel working with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested 10 suspects at 27 Deco Road in Warri, Delta State.
The arrest was made at about 6:44 a.m., although the Navy did not disclose the identities of the suspects or the specific offences linked to their arrest.
The Navy said the operations are part of its sustained efforts to curb crude oil theft, illegal refining and other criminal activities across the Niger Delta.
