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 conducted by personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, following credible intelligence, the Navy disclosed in a statement shared on its official X account on Thursday.
The Navy said the operation targeted illegal refining facilities concealed within the Wakama/Bolo and Aworkiri communities, preventing suspected crude oil thieves from expanding their activities.
According to the statement, operatives discovered 23 dugout pits across the nine illegal refining locations.
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 they became operational.
The Navy also revealed that eight locally fabricated refining pots and three large storage tanks were recovered during the operation, disrupting the activities of the suspected oil theft syndicate.
It added that all illegal refining facilities and recovered products were handled in accordance with established procedures for combating crude oil theft.
The Navy reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure and sustaining operations against crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta.
