By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Nigerian Navy has uncovered reactivated illegal refining sites in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The operation was part of efforts aimed at intensifying efforts to combat crude oil theft and illegal refining activities within the Niger Delta region.
The discovery was made during an operation conducted by personnel of NNS PATHFINDER under Operation DELTA SENTINEL as part of ongoing anti-crude oil theft patrols in the area.
Recall that the sites were deactivated penultimate week by officers from the Operation Delta Senitel where they recovered several quantities of illegally refined products.
Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, confirmed the operation, stating that it followed actionable intelligence indicating that suspected oil thieves had resumed activities at illegal refining sites previously dismantled by security agencies around Egbema.
He said naval personnel moved to the identified locations where they uncovered three illegal refining camps supported by a network of 13 dugout pits used for storing stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products.
He disclosed that during the operation, security operatives reportedly discovered about 260,000 litres of substances suspected to be crude oil and approximately 405,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), indicating renewed efforts by the syndicates to restore large-scale illegal refining operations within the area.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the operators allegedly sourced crude oil from an abandoned wellhead, highlighting the continued exploitation of dormant oil infrastructure by criminal networks engaged in oil theft,” he added.
Captain Forunsho further explained that despite previous crackdowns and destruction of illegal refining camps, criminal elements had repeatedly attempted to reoccupy the same locations, making sustained surveillance and rapid response operations necessary.
He added that the illegal refining sites, dugout pits and recovered petroleum products were handled in line with established anti-crude oil theft procedures, effectively disrupting the illegal activities.
“The Nigerian Navy reaffirmed its commitment to intelligence-led operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL aimed at dismantling criminal networks, protecting critical national assets and safeguarding Nigeria’s economic interests,” he said.
