Navy Destroys 10 Illegal Refineries in Niger Delta

The Nigerian Navy has dismantled 10 illegal refineries in the creeks of the Niger Delta, as part of its renewed push to curb crude oil theft and sabotage.

The operation was carried out by personnel from Forward Operating Base (FOB) Escravos, under the ongoing “Operation Delta Sanity II.” The Commanding Officer, Navy Captain Ikenna Okoloagu, disclosed the development on Thursday in Warri, Delta State.

He said the raids, which took place between July 1 and July 30, followed credible intelligence and were in line with directives from the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, to sustain pressure on oil thieves and protect national assets.

On July 1, the Navy dismantled three illegal refining sites at Obodo Omadino in Warri South-West Local Government Area, where they recovered 7,200 litres of stolen crude oil and 1,575 litres of illegally refined diesel (AGO).

Another site in the same area was shut down on July 12, with 2,300 litres of stolen crude oil seized. A follow-up raid on July 19 uncovered a site equipped with a pumping machine and 4,200 litres of crude oil.

On July 23, two more sites were deactivated, yielding 2,300 litres of crude oil and 2,675 litres of AGO. On July 27, two additional illegal refineries were destroyed, with 2,650 litres of crude oil and 1,200 litres of AGO recovered.

The latest raid, carried out on July 30, also in Obodo Omadino, led to the seizure of 3,200 litres of crude oil and 945 litres of AGO.

In total, the operations led to the recovery of about 20,950 litres of stolen crude oil and 6,395 litres of illegally refined AGO, hidden in locally made ovens, dugout pits, and polythene sacks.

Captain Okoloagu reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to dismantling illegal refining infrastructure and protecting the country’s oil economy.