The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, dismantling several illegal refinery sites and recovering large volumes of suspected stolen petroleum products in Rivers State.

The operation, carried out under Operation Delta Sentinel, targeted illegal refining camps in parts of Rivers State where security operatives say criminal activities had begun to resurface despite previous clampdowns.

According to the Navy, personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder discovered a network of dugout pits, reservoirs, and storage facilities used for refining and storing stolen crude oil in areas including Ndoni and Ahoada West Local Government Area.

Preliminary findings from the operation indicated that about 184,000 litres of suspected Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) were recovered from the illegal sites. Naval authorities said the discovery followed credible intelligence on renewed activities of oil theft syndicates in the region.

Director of Naval Information, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said the raid reflects ongoing efforts by the Navy to disrupt crude oil theft networks that continue to undermine Nigeria’s economy. He noted that some groups had been attempting to reactivate previously destroyed illegal refining camps and exploit abandoned oil facilities.

In a related operation earlier in the month, naval personnel reportedly destroyed five illegal refining sites around the Egboama-Ogbogolo community in Ahoada West. During that raid, security operatives seized about 85,000 litres of suspected crude oil and 78,000 litres of illegally refined AGO, stored in more than 15 dugout pits and reservoirs.

The Navy reiterated that its operations are intelligence-driven and part of sustained efforts to protect national oil assets, reduce economic sabotage, and safeguard the environment from the damaging effects of illegal refining. Illegal oil refining remains a persistent challenge in the Niger Delta, contributing to environmental degradation, pipeline vandalism, and significant revenue losses for Nigeria.

Security agencies have also repeatedly warned of the dangers associated with the practice, following incidents of explosions and fatalities in affected communities in recent years.

The Navy assured that it will continue coordinated surveillance and enforcement operations across the region to dismantle illegal refining networks and bring perpetrators to justice.