Nigerian Navy busts illegal refinery, seizes 205,680 litres

The Nigerian Navy has dismantled a major illegal refining complex and recovered more than 205,680 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products in Rivers.

The Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said the operation was carried out by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS, SOROH under Operation DELTA SENTINEL following credible intelligence on illegal refining activities in the Egboama/Ogbogolo axis of Ahoada West Local Government Area.

Mr Folorunsho said the operation led to the discovery and deactivation of three illegal refining sites comprising six refining ovens, three reservoirs and four dugout pits.

According to him, the facilities contained about 38,500 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and 167,180 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), bringing the total volume recovered to 205,680 litres.

He said the scale of the discovery highlighted the sophistication of criminal networks involved in crude oil theft and illegal refining in the Niger Delta.

According to him, dismantling the infrastructure before it could sustain further production dealt a significant blow to economic saboteurs responsible for revenue losses and environmental degradation.

The naval spokesperson said all recovered products and facilities were handled in line with established anti-crude oil theft procedures, denying the operators access to infrastructure and products intended to support their activities.

He added that the successful operation underscored the Navy’s resolve to sustain the momentum of Operation DELTA SENTINEL.

Mr Folorunsho reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to targeting the infrastructure, logistics and supply chains supporting crude oil theft and illegal refining across the Niger Delta.

He added that the service remained focused on protecting Nigeria’s maritime domain and critical oil and gas assets through intelligence-driven operations aimed at safeguarding national economic security.
NAN