By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal refining activities, with the disruption of three illegal refining sites in the Okolomade and Ogbogolo areas of Rivers State.
The operation, conducted on August 21, 2026, by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, followed credible intelligence indicating the reactivation of illegal refining activities in the area.
According to a statement signed by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operation led to the discovery of two cooking drums, two large ovens, 10 reservoirs and four storage facilities linked to illegal refining activities.
The naval personnel also uncovered two makeshift camps believed to have provided shelter for illegal refiners, as well as approximately 91,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil and about 70 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
The Navy said the illegal refining sites, recovered products and associated materials were handled in line with established procedures, effectively disrupting the reactivated facilities and denying their operators the infrastructure needed to resume operations.
The latest operation, according to the Navy, demonstrates its sustained efforts to prevent criminal elements from rebuilding illegal refining infrastructure in areas previously affected by crude oil theft and illegal refining.
The Navy reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining Operation DELTA SENTINEL to dismantle infrastructure supporting crude oil theft, protect critical national assets and safeguard the country’s oil and gas resources from economic saboteurs.
