By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Nigerian Navy has sustained its operational pressure against crude oil theft and illegal refining under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, with the disruption of three illegal refining sites and the recovery of approximately 85,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, in Rivers State.
The Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.
According to the statement, the latest operation was conducted by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS, PATHFINDER in the Egbema axis of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, following credible intelligence on the activities of criminal elements within the area.
The operation led to the discovery of three illegal refining sites containing eight dugout pits, sacks and reservoirs laden with approximately 85,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined AGO.
The illegal refining sites and recovered products were subsequently handled in accordance with established anti-crude oil theft procedures.
The latest success comes barely two weeks after NNS PATHFINDER disrupted two illegal refining sites within the same general area on August 3, 2026.
The Navy said the repeated disruption of illegal refining activities in the area reflects its sustained efforts to prevent criminal elements from regaining operational footholds and rebuilding illicit refining infrastructure.
It added that the continued operational pressure is yielding positive results, with a decline in the reactivation of illegal refining sites within the area.
“This demonstrates the growing impact of sustained naval action in degrading the activities of crude oil theft and illegal refining networks,” the statement said.
The Nigerian Navy reiterated its resolve to sustain Operation DELTA SENTINEL to protect critical national assets, disrupt illegal petroleum supply chains and support the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and safeguard national economic interests.
