By Kingsley Omonobi
The Nigerian Navy has disrupted attempts by suspected oil thieves to reactivate illegal refining operations in Rivers State, recovering approximately 103,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
The operation was carried out on August 22, 2026, by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder following credible intelligence on illegal refining activities around the Ohaji axis of Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of the state.
The naval team discovered three illegal refining sites containing 12 dugout pits, sacks and reservoirs filled with the suspected illegally refined products. Two pumping machines were also recovered from the sites.
Director of Information, Nigerian Navy, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, who disclosed this in a statement, said the latest operation came barely a week after NNS Pathfinder disrupted two illegal refining sites within the same general area on August 15.
According to him, the successive operations had constrained efforts by criminal elements to rebuild and reactivate illegal refining infrastructure in the area.
He said the recovered products, equipment and illegal refining sites were handled in accordance with established procedures for combating crude oil theft and illegal refining.
No arrest was made during the operation, as the suspected operators had fled before the arrival of the naval personnel.
Folorunsho said the latest operation demonstrated the impact of sustained naval pressure on infrastructure supporting illegal refining and crude oil theft.
He added that the operations were denying criminal elements the capacity to restore their illicit activities and contributing to the protection of Nigeria’s oil and gas assets.
He assured that the Nigerian Navy would continue to sustain Operation Delta Sentinel to protect critical oil and gas infrastructure, disrupt economic sabotage and create a secure environment for legitimate production and investment.
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