Uche Cecil Izuora
The Nigerian Navy has dispossessed criminal elements of illegal project structure and attempt to revive illegal refining activities in Rivers State.
Personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER in a swift move disrupted three illegal refining sites and recovering approximately 103,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) around the Ohaji axis of
Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area.
The operation, conducted on 22 August 2026 following credible
intelligence, uncovered 12 dugout pits, sacks and reservoirs containing
the suspected illegally refined products, alongside two pumping
machines.
The intervention comes barely a week after NNS PATHFINDER disrupted
two illegal refining sites within the same general area on 15 August 2026.
The successive interventions have constrained efforts to rebuild illegal
refining infrastructure, with a noticeable decline in the reactivation of such
sites.
The illegal refining sites, recovered products and associated equipment
were handled in accordance with established anti-crude oil theft
procedures. No arrest was made as the operators had fled before the
arrival of the naval troops.
The latest success demonstrates the impact of sustained naval pressure
on the infrastructure that enables illegal refining and crude oil theft,
thereby denying criminal elements the capacity to restore their illicit
operations.
The Nigerian Navy remains committed to sustaining Operation DELTA
SENTINEL to protect Nigeria’s oil and gas assets, disrupt economic
sabotage and create a secure environment for legitimate production and
investment.