The Nigerian Navy announced that it has recovered 61,000 litres of petroleum products in Rivers State after shutting down a reactivated illegal refining operation. The information was released by the Director of Naval Information, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, during a briefing in Abuja on Sunday.
According to Captain Folorunsho, the operation was carried out by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER along the Ogba‑Egbema‑Ndoni axis of Rivers. The team discovered and deactivated three newly established illegal refining sites that were linked to ongoing crude‑oil theft activities in the area. During the raid, the navy seized approximately 43,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil and 18,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) that had been concealed in 12 dugout pits and reservoirs. The combined volume of recovered petroleum products totals 61,000 litres.
The captain highlighted that the latest discovery underscores the persistent attempts by criminal elements to reactivate and expand illegal refining operations despite sustained enforcement efforts. He recalled that similar illegal refining infrastructure was dismantled in the same general area in July 2026, illustrating the determination of crude‑oil theft syndicates to re‑establish their activities.
“By maintaining a sustained operational presence across identified hotspots, the navy continues to deny economic saboteurs the opportunity to rebuild their networks,” Captain Folorunsho said. “It also protects critical national assets and supports the Federal Government’s efforts to enhance oil production and economic security.”
The naval spokesperson reaffirmed the navy’s commitment to intelligence‑driven operations aimed at dismantling illegal refining infrastructure, disrupting crude‑oil theft networks, and safeguarding Nigeria’s oil and gas resources. The operation is part of the broader Operation DELTA SENTINEL, which seeks to curb the theft and illicit refining of petroleum products across the country.
The recovery of 61,000 litres of petroleum products represents a significant success for the navy’s anti‑theft campaign in Rivers State and demonstrates the effectiveness of coordinated, intelligence‑based interventions. As the navy continues to patrol key oil‑producing regions, it aims to further reduce the economic impact of illegal refining and support the national goal of maximizing oil production and securing the country’s energy future.
