By Stella Odueme
The Nigerian Navy has disrupted two illegal refining sites and recovered 53,000 litres of suspected stolen petroleum products in Okarki Community, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The Navy said in a statement by the Director of Naval Information, Nigerian Navy, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, on Thursday that the operation was conducted on November 11, 2026, by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, following credible intelligence on illegal petroleum activities in the area.
The statement said the two illegal refining sites contained about eight dugout pits and storage containers holding approximately 23,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and 30,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
The facilities and recovered products were handled in line with established procedures for combating crude oil theft.
However, no arrests were made as the suspected operators reportedly fled before the arrival of the naval personnel.
The Navy disclosed that the operation followed a similar exercise conducted by NNS PATHFINDER in the same area on October 10, 2026, during which three illegal refining sites were discovered and deactivated.
It said the successive operations demonstrated its commitment to dismantling illegal refining infrastructure, disrupting crude oil theft networks and protecting the nation's petroleum resources.
The Service also reaffirmed its determination to sustain intelligence-led operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL to protect critical oil and gas infrastructure, support national crude oil production and safeguard Nigeria's economic interests.
