The Nigerian Navy has dismantled illegal crude oil refining operations and recovered suspected stolen petroleum products in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni area of Rivers State.
The Navy disclosed the operation in a statement on Saturday, stating that it was conducted under Operation Delta Sentinel, the service’s flagship maritime security initiative.
The Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder Anti-Crude Oil Theft patrol team discovered a tampered wellhead belonging to an oil company that had been illegally modified.
The wellhead was connected to an improvised pipeline used to siphon crude oil into dugout pits, facilitating illegal refining activities in the area.
Further exploitation of the site led to the dismantling of illegal refining equipment and the recovery of significant quantities of suspected stolen crude oil.
The team also recovered illegally refined products including Automotive Gas Oil, Premium Motor Spirit, and Dual Purpose Kerosene, securing all materials as evidence for potential prosecution.
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Commodore Mutalib Raji, Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder, emphasized the effectiveness of Operation Delta Sentinel in combating crude oil theft and economic sabotage.
Raji reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to sustained intensified operations and strengthened collaboration with security agencies to protect national assets.
In late February, the Navy conducted a similar operation in the same area, destroying three illegal refinery sites, five ovens, and 25 dugout pits while recovering significant quantities of refined products.
The Nigerian Navy reported destroying over 800 illegal refineries nationwide in 2025, recovering 171,000 barrels of stolen crude oil over a two-year period.
The crackdown also led to the arrest of 76 vessels and at least 242 suspects facing charges related to crude oil theft and illegal refining activities.
Oil theft remains one of the most significant challenges facing Nigeria’s petroleum industry, reducing government revenue and hampering the country’s ability to meet official production targets.
