Posted by Chinenye on Thu 12th Nov, 2026 - tori.ng
The Nigerian Navy has discovered and shut down two illegal oil refineries in Rivers State.
(Illegal Refinery. Photo Credit: Ripples Nigeria)
The Nigerian Navy has shut down two illegal refining sites and recovered 53,000 litres of suspected stolen petroleum products in Okarki community in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The raid took place on November 11 2026.
The Navy Ship NNS Pathfinder carried it out under Operation Delta Sentinel after receiving reliable intelligence about illegal fuel activity in the area.
The Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, announced the operation on Thursday.
He said it shows the Navy is serious about fighting crude oil theft and illegal bunkering.
Folorunsho said the two sites had about eight dug out pits and storage containers.
They held an estimated 23000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and 30000 litres of suspected illegally refined automotive gas oil, also known as diesel.
He said the sites and the seized products were handled according to the set procedures for crude oil theft cases.
No arrests were made because the suspected operators ran away before the naval team arrived.
He also recalled that the same ship had carried out an earlier operation in the same general area on October 10 2026.
During that raid, three illegal refining sites were found and shut down.
According to him, the two operations show that the Navy is determined to stop economic saboteurs from getting access to the country's oil resources.
Folorunsho said the Navy will keep running intelligence led operations under Operation Delta Sentinel.
The aim is to protect oil and gas infrastructure, support crude production and safeguard the economy.