Navy uncovers 9 illegal refineries, recovers 104,000 litres of stolen crude

The Nigerian Navy has uncovered nine illegal refining sites and recovered about 104,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil during an operation in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The operation was carried out by personnel of the Forward Operating Base, FOB, Bonny under Operation DELTA SENTINEL following actionable intelligence, the Navy said in a statement posted on its official X account on Thursday.

According to the Navy, the operation targeted illegal refining infrastructure hidden within the Wakama/Bolo and Aworkiri communities, preventing suspected crude oil thieves from expanding their illicit refining activities.

The Navy said operatives discovered 23 dugout pits across the nine illegal refining sites. Eighteen of the pits contained an estimated 104,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil, while five newly excavated pits prepared for illegal refining were destroyed before becoming operational.

It added that personnel also recovered eight locally fabricated refining pots and three large storage tanks, further disrupting the operations of the suspected oil theft syndicate.

According to the statement, all illegal refining facilities and recovered products were handled in line with existing anti-crude oil theft procedures.

The Navy said the operation underscores its commitment to protecting Nigeria’s critical oil and gas infrastructure and sustaining efforts to combat crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.