The Nigerian Navy has uncovered 31 dugout pits containing about 62,050 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products in Ogbogolo community, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
He said the operation, conducted on September 8, 2026, by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, also led to the discovery of two suspected illegal refining sites within the Orashi Forest and the wider Ogbogolo area.
According to him, the dugout pits contained approximately 58,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and 4,050 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel.
The naval team also recovered six sacks and one keg containing additional quantities of suspected illegally refined AGO.
No arrest was made during the operation, as the suspects reportedly fled upon sighting the naval personnel.
He said the sites were handled in accordance with extant regulations.
Folorunsho added that Operation DELTA SENTINEL had recorded several successes since its inception, reaffirming the service’s commitment to combating illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta.
The operation, according to the Navy, is aimed at denying perpetrators access to facilities used for storing and processing petroleum products, while protecting Nigeria’s oil resources and economic interests.
