Nigerian Navy, in its fresh offensive operation against oil theft and economic sabotage in the Niger Delta Region, has destroyed two illegal refinery sites comprising 8 dugout pits and reservoirs containing approximately 15,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and 105,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO)

This was contained in a statement made available to Defence Correspondents in Abuja on Sunday by the Spokesperson of the Service, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorusho.

It explained that the operation was conducted by the personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER under Operation DELTA SENTINEL based on credible intelligence and targeted at crude oil theft operation around the Oseokishikpa axis of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers.

According to it, during the operation, naval personnel uncovered 2 illegal refining sites comprising 8 dugout pits and reservoirs containing approximately 15,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and 105,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO)

The statement further explained that the discovery was particularly significant as it highlighted the ongoing attempts by criminal elements to reactivate illegal refining infrastructure previously dismantled by security forces within the same area.

It added that the operation not only disrupted illicit activities but also prevented the re-establishment of a refining network capable of sustaining crude oil theft and environmental degradation in the region.

The statement pointed out that the illegal refining sites and recovered products were handled in accordance with extant anti-crude oil theft procedures, denying economic saboteurs access to resources intended to support their criminal enterprise

It stated that the Nigerian Navy remained committed to sustaining intelligence-driven operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL to dismantle crude oil theft networks, protect critical national infrastructure, and safeguard Nigeria’s economic interests in the Niger Delta Region. (Nigerian Tribune)

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