Nigerian Navy has disrupted two illegal refining sites and recovered about 58,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in Rivers State.
The operation was conducted on October 3, 2026, at Otapha, Okarki Community in Ahoada West Local Government Area, under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.
According to a statement signed by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, personnel of NNS PATHFINDER, operating under the anti-crude oil theft operation, moved into the area following credible intelligence on suspected crude oil theft and illegal refining activities.
The naval team discovered two illegal refining sites containing nine dugout pits, storage containers and sacks filled with products suspected to have been stolen and illegally refined.
The volume recovered from just two sites points to an operation that had moved beyond crude extraction alone, with storage facilities already in place for holding the stolen resource and processed products before they could be moved further into the supply chain.
The intervention therefore disrupted not only the refining sites but also the storage of the products awaiting movement from the area.
The Navy said the sites and recovered products were handled in line with established procedures for combating crude oil theft.
No arrest was made as the suspected operators fled before the arrival of the naval team.
While the escape of the operators means no suspects were taken into custody, the recovery of 58,000 litres represents a significant disruption to an illegal petroleum supply chain that depends on access to crude, makeshift refining facilities and storage points.
The operation also underscores the importance of timely intelligence in taking the fight against crude oil theft to the locations where stolen petroleum resources are extracted, processed and stored.
Navy Captain Folorunsho, said the operation further demonstrates the commitment of the Nigerian Navy to disrupting crude oil theft and illegal refining activities within its area of operations.
