The Nigerian Navy has dismantled three newly established illegal refining sites in Rivers State as part of ongoing efforts to combat crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.
According to a statement by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operation was carried out by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER under Operation DELTA SENTINEL in the Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni area of the state.
The Navy said operatives uncovered and deactivated the illegal refining facilities, recovering about 43,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and 18,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). The products were hidden in 12 dugout pits and reservoirs, bringing the total volume recovered to 61,000 litres.
The statement noted that the discovery highlights the persistence of crude oil theft syndicates, which continue to reactivate illegal refining operations despite ongoing military crackdowns. It added that similar illegal refining infrastructure had been dismantled in the same area in July 2026.
