Navy Shuts Down 3 Illegal Refineries in Rivers

(Illegal Oil. Photo Credit: Daily Post)

The Nigerian Navy claimed that it has continued to apply operational pressure on illegal refining operations and crude oil theft as part of Operation Delta Sentinel.

It stated that this involves the shutdown of three illicit refining sites and the recovery of around 85,000 liters of items believed to be illegally processed Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in Rivers State.

According to Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the Director of Naval Information, the recent operation was carried out by sailors from the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS, Pathfinder, in the Egbema region of Rivers State's Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government.

It stated that the operation was launched in response to credible intelligence about ongoing criminal operations in the region.

The Nigerian Navy stated that the operation resulted in the discovery of three illicit refining sites, which contained eight dugout trenches, bags, and reservoirs containing roughly 85,000 liters of AGO suspected of being illegally refined.

It stated that the unlawful refining facilities and recovered goods were then managed in accordance with existing anti-crude oil theft methods.

"This recent feat comes just two weeks after NNS PATHFINDER disrupted two illicit refining plants in the same area on August 3, 2026.

The continued disruption of unlawful refining activities in this area demonstrates the Nigerian Navy's ongoing efforts to prevent criminal groups from reestablishing operational bases and rebuilding illicit refining infrastructure," according to the statement.

"The sustained operational pressure is also yielding positive results, as evidenced by a decrease in the reactivation of illegal refining sites in the region."

This demonstrates the increased effectiveness of ongoing naval operations in disrupting crude oil theft and illegal processing networks.

The Nigerian Navy stated that it will continue Operation Delta Sentinel to defend important national assets, disrupt illegal petroleum supply chains, and support the Federal Government's initiatives to improve Nigeria's oil and gas sector while preserving national economic interests.