Nigerian Navy has intensified its campaign against crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, recovering 103,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) from three illegal refining sites uncovered in Rivers State.
Director of Naval Information, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen on Monday.
Captain Folorunsho said the operation forms part of the Navy’s broader offensive under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, aimed at protecting Nigeria’s oil and gas assets, curbing economic sabotage and creating a secure environment for legitimate oil production and investment.
He said the latest raid was carried out on August 22 by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER around the Ohaji axis of Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, where the illegal refining camps were uncovered.
According to him, the operation came barely a week after naval operatives dismantled two illegal refining sites within the same general area, underscoring the service’s sustained efforts to stamp out crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in the oil-producing region.
Acting on credible intelligence, the naval team discovered 12 dugout pits, sacks and reservoirs containing the suspected illegally refined AGO. They also recovered two pumping machines believed to have been used in the illegal operations.
The Navy said the successive operations have continued to mount pressure on criminal networks attempting to rebuild illegal refining infrastructure in the area.
According to the Naval spokesman, the sustained interventions have frustrated efforts to reactivate the illegal sites, leading to a noticeable decline in attempts to resume refining activities.
H sad the suspected operators, however, fled before the arrival of the naval personnel, abandoning the illegal refining sites, recovered products and equipment. No arrests were made during the operation.
He added that the recovered products and equipment were handled in line with established anti-crude oil theft procedures, while the latest operation further disrupted infrastructure supporting illegal refining and crude oil theft.
