Rivers, Delta: Navy Busts Illegal Refineries, Recovers 99,000 Litres of Crude

The Nigerian Navy has chalked another major breakthrough in its ongoing crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal refining activities across the country.

The Navy explained that its operatives uncovered three suspected illegal refining sites, six reservoirs and about 99,000 liters of products suspected to be stolen crude oil and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, in Rivers and Delta States.

According to Naija News, the discoveries came from separate operations by the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS SOROH and NNS DELTA on August 31, 2026.

The operations were carried out based on credible intelligence on suspected illegal petroleum activities in the affected areas.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operatives also recovered various equipment and facilities allegedly used for illegal refining.

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Items recovered included a large refining oven, storage facilities and dugout reservoirs containing suspected stolen crude oil.

The discoveries had dealt a major blow to illegal petroleum activities especially the storage and processing infrastructure used to sustain crude oil theft and illegal refining, Folorunsho said.

The recovered products and facilities were treated in accordance with laid down procedures,” he said.

The Navy spokesman said the latest operation was a further demonstration of the Nigerian Navy’s ability to sustain pressure on criminal elements in various operational areas.

He said the operations would continue to deny criminal syndicates the infrastructure to engage in crude oil theft and illegal refining activities.