Navy hits oil thieves hard with dismantling of illegal refinery

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Nigerian Navy said its troops uncovered about 5,500 litres of suspected crude oil and 3,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) during the dismantling of an illegally reconstructed refining cluster, along the Rivers–Bayelsa border

The crackdown by naval operatives followed a credible intelligence on illegal refining around Egboama/Ogbogolo community in Ahoada West Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State, Navy Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, the Director of Naval Information said in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Folorunsho added that generators, welding machines and other tools used in expanding the illegal facilities were also recovered during the operation.

Folorunsho said that the operation was carried out by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.

He said that the operation involved coordinated land and water insertion, supported by aerial surveillance to locate the concealed refining sites, within the creek.

“The troops uncovered approximately 5,500 litres of suspected crude oil and 3,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO),” he said.

“Findings depicted deliberate efforts by the criminal networks to restart the refining infrastructure previously destroyed by security forces.

“All identified sites and equipment have been deactivated in line with operational procedures, while surveillance and monitoring of adjoining creek corridors remain ongoing,” he said.

The naval spokesman said that the sustained operations were focused on preventing the re-establishment of illegal refining camps and dismantling support structures sustaining crude oil theft.

He reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to intelligence-driven operations aimed at protecting critical national assets, securing the maritime domain and denying economic saboteurs freedom of action in the Niger Delta.

(NAN)