By Lazarus Zakaa
The Nigerian Navy has continued to assert persistent operational control over known illegal refining hotspots in Rivers State under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, frustrating repeated attempts by crude oil theft syndicates to reactivate dismantled refining infrastructure.
It will be recalled that on 10 July 2026, personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER discovered and deactivated illegal refining sites within the Egbema axis of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area. Despite that successful operation, criminal elements attempted to reactivate the sites, prompting sustained monitoring and follow-up anti-crude oil theft operations by the Nigerian Navy.
According a statement issued by the naval spokesman, naval captain Abiodun Folorunsho said the latest operation, NNS PATHFINDER personnel rediscovered and deactivated two reactivated illegal refining sites, recovering approximately 76,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil and 50,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) concealed in seven dugout pits and reservoirs, bringing the total volume of recovered petroleum products to over 126,000 litres.
According to him, the operation demonstrates the Nigerian Navy’s determination to deny crude oil thieves the opportunity to regain operational footholds or rebuild illegal refining infrastructure within its area of responsibility. All illegal refining sites and recovered products were handled in accordance with established anti-crude oil theft procedures, while sustained operational pressure continues across identified criminal enclaves.
“The Nigerian Navy remains resolute in sustaining intelligence-driven operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL to dismantle illegal refining infrastructure, disrupt crude oil theft networks, protect critical national assets, and support Nigeria’s economic security“, the statement averred.
