Intelligence-led operation in Rivers

Nigeria's campaign against crude oil theft recorded a fresh development on Tuesday as the Nigerian Navy dismantled a large illegal refining complex in Rivers State and recovered more than 205,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products.

The operation was carried out under Operation Delta Sentinel by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Soroh within the Egboama/Ogbogolo axis of Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Announcing the development, the Director of Information, Nigerian Navy, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, described the operation as another significant breakthrough in the military's sustained offensive against crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta.

Acting on credible intelligence, personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Soroh conducted a targeted operation within the Egboama/Ogbogolo axis of Ahoada West Local Government Area, leading to the discovery of a newly established illegal refining network.

— Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Information, Nigerian Navy

What the Navy discovered

Folorunsho said the raid followed credible intelligence that led naval operatives to a newly established illegal refining network hidden within the creek environment.

According to him, the operation led to the discovery and deactivation of three illegal refining sites equipped with six refining ovens, three reservoirs and four dugout pits used for processing stolen crude oil.

The operation resulted in the discovery and deactivation of three illegal refining sites comprising six refining ovens, three reservoirs, and four dugout pits. Cumulatively, the sites contained about 38,500 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil and approximately 167,180 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), bringing the total volume of recovered products to 205,680 litres.

— Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Information, Nigerian Navy

The reported recovery included about 38,500 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil and approximately 167,180 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, bringing the total to 205,680 litres.

Impact on illegal refining networks

The latest discovery highlights the continued spread and sophistication of criminal syndicates involved in crude oil theft, an illicit enterprise that affects Nigeria's economy, weakens legitimate oil production and causes environmental damage in host communities across the Niger Delta.

Folorunsho said dismantling the facilities before they could expand production dealt a major blow to those behind the operation.

The scale of the discovery underscores the sophistication of criminal networks engaged in crude oil theft and illegal refining within the Niger Delta. By dismantling the refining infrastructure before it could sustain further illicit production, the operation dealt a significant setback to criminal enterprises responsible for economic sabotage, environmental degradation, and the loss of national revenue.

— Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Information, Nigerian Navy

He added that all illegal refining facilities and recovered products were disposed of in line with established anti-crude oil theft procedures.

Navy restates commitment

The Nigerian Navy said the handling of the illegal refining sites and recovered products was done to ensure they could no longer support criminal operations.

The illegal refining sites and all recovered products were handled in accordance with extant anti-crude oil theft procedures, effectively denying economic saboteurs access to critical infrastructure and products intended to sustain their criminal activities.

— Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Information, Nigerian Navy

Folorunsho reaffirmed the Navy's commitment to maintaining the momentum of Operation Delta Sentinel by targeting the infrastructure, logistics and supply chains sustaining crude oil theft across the region.

The successful operation reinforces the Nigerian Navy's determination to sustain the operational momentum of Operation Delta Sentinel by targeting the infrastructure, logistics, and supply chains that underpin crude oil theft and illegal refining across the Niger Delta.

— Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Information, Nigerian Navy

He said the Navy would continue to deploy intelligence-driven operations to safeguard the nation's maritime environment and protect critical oil and gas infrastructure.

The Nigerian Navy remains resolute in protecting Nigeria's maritime domain and critical oil and gas assets through sustained intelligence-driven operations in support of national economic security.

— Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Information, Nigerian Navy

The latest success adds to a series of recent operations by the Nigerian Navy aimed at disrupting illegal oil bunkering networks and supporting efforts to curb economic sabotage while backing the Federal Government's drive to increase crude oil production and enhance national revenue.