Abuja: The Nigerian Navy has uncovered approximately 103,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and 190,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO),” worth over ₦600 million across Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states.
This was stated by Navy Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Naval Information, on Saturday in Abuja.
The Navy said the operation was conducted under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, targeting illegal oil refining networks.
Folorunsho stated the breakthrough came after coordinated operations on April 17 against illegal refining sites and crude oil storage in the Niger Delta.
NNS SOROH personnel, using credible intelligence, deployed an Anti-Crude Oil Theft team to the Egboama/Ogbogolo area along the Rivers–Bayelsa boundary corridor in Ahoada West Local Government Area.
According to him, the team carried out a coordinated land-and-water operation, uncovering multiple illegal refining sites comprising dugout pits, ovens, reservoirs, and storage facilities used for illicit petroleum processing.
Folorunsho said that in the Rivers–Bayelsa boundary corridor, the recovered crude oil was valued at over ₦91 million, while the illegally refined AGO was estimated at over ₦342 million. This brought the total value of seizures from this specific area to over ₦433 million.
In Delta State, NNS DELTA personnel uncovered and deactivated a concealed crude oil storage facility near Bennett Island.
He said the facility in Delta State was connected to a buried pipeline by an improvised hose system and contained about 78,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, valued at approximately ₦69 million, along with equipment used for illegal siphoning.
The Naval spokesperson said all illegal refining infrastructure and storage facilities were dismantled on-site, and recovered products were handled in accordance with operational procedures. Perpetrators fled at the sight of navy personnel.
He added that the operations underscore the navy’s intensified crackdown on oil theft and reinforce the momentum of Operation DELTA SENTINEL, which has now been extended by 90 days.
Chief of Naval Staff Vice Adm. Idi Abbas commended participating units and instructed Commander, Task Group, Rear Adm. Suleiman Ibrahim, to maintain pressure on oil theft networks.
He reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to safeguarding critical national oil infrastructure and protecting the country’s economic lifelines.