The Nigerian Navy has disrupted renewed attempts by economic saboteurs to re-establish illegal refining operations in Rivers State under Operation Delta Sentinel.
Acting on credible intelligence, personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Pathfinder, conducted a targeted anti-crude oil theft operation around the Oseokishikpa axis of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area.
During the operation, naval personnel uncovered two illegal refining sites comprising eight 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 Navy said the discovery is significant as it highlights ongoing attempts by criminal elements to reactivate illegal refining infrastructure previously dismantled by security forces within the same area. 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.
Consequently, 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.
The Nigerian Navy reiterated its commitment 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.
The statement was signed by Abiodun Folorunsho, Navy Captain, Director Naval Information, Nigerian Navy, on 14 June 2026.
