The Nigerian Navy has disrupted an attempt by suspected oil thieves to revive illegal refining operations in Rivers State, recovering approximately 103,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
The operation was carried out on August 22, 2026, by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder following intelligence on illegal refining activities around the Ohaji axis of Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area.
The naval team discovered three illegal refining sites containing 12 dugout pits, sacks and reservoirs filled with the suspected illegally refined products. Two pumping machines were also recovered.
According to the Navy’s Director of Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operation came barely a week after NNS Pathfinder disrupted two illegal refining sites in the same general area on August 15.
He said the successive operations had made it difficult for criminal elements to rebuild and reactivate illegal refining infrastructure.
No arrests were made because the suspected operators had fled before the naval personnel arrived.
The Navy said the recovered products, equipment and illegal refining sites were handled in line with established procedures for tackling crude oil theft and illegal refining.
Folorunsho said the latest operation demonstrated the impact of sustained naval pressure on infrastructure supporting illegal refining and crude oil theft.
He added that the operations were helping deny criminal elements the ability to restore their activities while protecting Nigeria’s oil and gas assets.
The Nigerian Navy said it would continue Operation Delta Sentinel to protect critical oil and gas infrastructure, disrupt economic sabotage and create a safer environment for legitimate production and investment.
Source: Nigerian Navy.
