Navy Disrupts Two Illegal Refineries, Recovers 53,000 Litres of Stolen Petroleum Products in Rivers
By Trek Africa Newspaper
The Nigerian Navy has disrupted two illegal refining sites and recovered approximately 53,000 litres of suspected stolen petroleum products during an operation at Okarki Community in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The operation, conducted on November 11, 2026, by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, followed credible intelligence on illegal petroleum activities in the area.
The Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a press statement dated November 12, 2026.
According to the Navy, the two illegal refining sites contained approximately eight dugout pits and storage containers holding an estimated 23,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and 30,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), bringing the total recovery to 53,000 litres.
The Navy said the sites and recovered petroleum products were handled in accordance with established anti-crude oil theft procedures.
No arrests were made during the operation, as the suspected operators reportedly fled before the arrival of the naval team.
The latest operation builds on an earlier offensive by NNS PATHFINDER in the same general area on October 10, 2026, when three illegal refining sites were discovered and deactivated.
The Navy said the successive operations demonstrate its determination to dismantle illegal refining infrastructure, disrupt crude oil theft networks and deny economic saboteurs access to the nation’s petroleum resources.
It reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL to protect critical oil and gas infrastructure, support national crude oil production and safeguard Nigeria’s economic interests.
