Reported by: Puis Althea | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Nigerian Navy has uncovered nine illegal refining sites in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, recovering an estimated 104,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil in a major operation that dealt a significant blow to crude oil theft syndicates operating in the Niger Delta. The operation, conducted under Operation Delta Sentinel by personnel of the Forward Operating Base Bonny, targeted criminal infrastructure concealed within the Wakama/Bolo and Aworkiri communities, following actionable intelligence on illicit petroleum activities in the area.
According to the Director of Naval Information, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operation disrupted efforts by economic saboteurs to establish additional refining locations and sustain illegal petroleum production. During the operation, the Navy uncovered nine illegal refining sites containing 23 dugout pits. Eighteen of the pits held an estimated 104,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil, while five newly excavated pits prepared for imminent use were neutralised before they could become operational. The operation also led to the recovery of eight locally fabricated refining pots and three large storage tanks, further weakening the refining capacity of the criminal network.
Captain Folorunsho said the operation delivered a significant setback to crude oil theft syndicates operating in the Bonny area. "Following actionable intelligence, personnel targeted criminal infrastructure concealed within the Wakama/Bolo and Aworkiri communities. The operation denied economic saboteurs the opportunity to activate new refining locations and sustain illicit petroleum production," he said. He added that the operation dealt another major setback to crude oil theft syndicates and further reinforced the service's resolve to safeguard Nigeria's critical oil and gas infrastructure. All illegal facilities and recovered products were handled in accordance with extant anti-crude oil theft procedures.
The Bonny discovery is the latest in a series of operations by the Nigerian Navy as part of its ongoing Operation Delta Sentinel. Earlier in July, the Navy uncovered and dismantled four illegal refining sites in Rivers State, recovering about 43,000 litres of suspected illegally refined petroleum products. The Navy also uncovered a hidden illegal fuel storage facility in Rivers State, recovering approximately 11,800 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil. The latest operation highlights the Nigerian Navy's determination not only to disrupt illegal refining activities but also to prevent criminal networks from rebuilding their infrastructure. By targeting both active and emerging illegal refining hubs, the service continues to weaken the operational resilience of crude oil theft syndicates and protect Nigeria's economic interests.
The Nigerian Navy remains committed to sustaining operations under Operation Delta Sentinel to dismantle criminal logistics, protect strategic national assets, and preserve the integrity of Nigeria's oil and gas sector. Through intelligence-driven operations, the service continues to reduce the ability of criminal groups to rebuild their networks while safeguarding the nation's economic assets.
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