Navy Uncovers Illegal Refining Sites in Rivers

(Nigerian Navy. Photo Credit: The Street Journal Newspapers)

During an operation in Rivers State's Bonny Local Government Area, the Nigerian Navy discovered nine illicit refining facilities and retrieved over 104,000 liters of products thought to be stolen crude oil.

The Navy disclosed this in a statement posted on social media on Thursday, noting that the operation was carried out by members of the Forward Operating Base, FOB, Bonny, under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, following actionable intelligence.

The Navy disclosed that the operation targeted illegal refining infrastructure concealed within the Wakama/Bolo and Aworkiri communities, aimed at stopping suspected cr@de oil thieves from expanding their illicit refining activities.

According to the Navy, operatives uncovered 23 dugout pits spread across the nine illegal refining sites.

Eighteen of these pits held an estimated 104,000 litres of products suspected to be st0len cr@de oil, while five newly dug pits being prepared for refining were destroyed before they could become operational.

The Navy added that personnel also recovered eight locally fabricated refining pots along with three large storage tanks, further disrupting the activities of the suspected oil theft syndicate.

Per the statement, all illegal refining facilities and the products recovered were handled in accordance with existing anti-cr@de oil theft procedures.

The Navy noted that the operation reflects its continued commitment to safeguarding Nigeria's critical oil and gas infrastructure and sustaining the fight against cr@de oil theft in the Niger Delta.