By KENNEDY SHEYIN

The Nigerian Navy has disrupted two illegal refining sites and recovered 53,000 litrs of suspected stolen petroleum product at Okarki Community in Rivers.

This is contained in an operational report by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, made available to journalists on Thursday in Abuja.

Folorunsho said that the operation was carried out by Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER on Tuesday, within the Ahoada West Local Government Area under Operation DELTA SENTINEL following credible intelligence.

According to him, the two sites contained approximately eight dugout pits and storage containers holding an estimated 23,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and 30,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).

“The sites and stored products were subsequently handled in accordance with established anti-crude oil theft procedures.

“No arrests were made, as the suspected operators fled before the arrival of the naval team.”

Folorunsho added that the operation reinforces the navy’s sustained efforts to dismantle illegal refining infrastructure and disrupt crude oil theft networks.

He noted that It also built on an earlier operation by NNS PATHFINDER in the same general area on Oct. 10, during which three illegal refining sites were discovered and deactivated.

“These successive operations underscore the service’s resolve to deny economic saboteurs access to the nation’s petroleum resources,” he said

He reaffirmed the navy’s commitment to intelligence-driven operations to protecting critical oil and gas infrastructure, supporting national crude oil production and safeguarding Nigeria’s economic interests. (NAN)