Monday, May 18, 2026 - The Nigerian Navy has dismantled an illegally reconstructed refining cluster, along the Rivers–Bayelsa border, recovering about 8,500 litres of suspected petroleum products.
The Director of Naval Information, Navy Capt. Abiodun
Folorunsho, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
Folorunsho said that the operation was carried out by
personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.
“This crackdown followed a credible intelligence on illegal
refining around Egboama/Ogbogolo community in Ahoada West Local Government Area
of Rivers State,” he said.
He said that the operation involved coordinated land and
water insertion, supported by aerial surveillance to locate the concealed
refining sites, within the creek.
“The troops uncovered approximately 5,500 litres of
suspected crude oil and 3,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive
Gas Oil, AGO,” he said.
Folorunsho added that generators, welding machines and other
tools used in expanding the illegal facilities were also recovered during the
operation.
“Findings depicted deliberate efforts by the criminal
networks to restart the refining infrastructure previously destroyed by
security forces.
“All identified sites and equipment have been deactivated in
line with operational procedures, while surveillance and monitoring of
adjoining creek corridors remain ongoing,” he said.
The naval spokesman said that the sustained operations were
focused on preventing the re-establishment of illegal refining camps and
dismantling support structures sustaining crude oil theft.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to
intelligence-driven operations aimed at protecting critical national assets,
securing the maritime domain and denying economic saboteurs freedom of action
in the Niger Delta.
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