The Nigerian Navy has uncovered a massive stockpile of illegally refined petroleum products and deactivated a reactivated illegal refining site in Rivers State during a targeted operation under Operation Delta Sentinel.
The operation, carried out by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Soroh, took place around the Egboama/Ogbogolo axis of the Ahoada West Local Government Area, an area noted for illegal refining activities.
According to a statement signed by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the raid was launched following credible intelligence and supported by aerial surveillance.
During the operation, naval personnel discovered approximately 30,000 litres of suspected illegally-sourced crude oil and 138,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel. The products were found stored in reservoirs, refining facilities, and more than 1,200 strategically concealed sacks intended for distribution.
Preliminary investigations by the Navy revealed that criminal elements had reactivated the site despite previous enforcement actions, highlighting the persistent efforts of oil theft syndicates to rebuild illegal refining infrastructure in the Niger Delta.
The Navy confirmed that the site has been deactivated, disrupting a major fuel distribution network linked to economic sabotage in the region. Officials stated that all recovered products and associated facilities were handled in accordance with existing anti-crude oil theft procedures.
Navy Captain Folorunsho reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations under Operation Delta Sentinel to dismantle crude oil theft networks and protect Nigeria’s critical energy infrastructure and
