Navy Cracks Down on Six Illegal Refining Sites (+PHOTOS)

---

PERSONNEL of the Nigerian Navy, operating from the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Escravos, have intensified their clampdown on crude oil theft and illegal refining in the Niger Delta, deactivating six illicit refining sites in a series of intelligence-led operations.

The raids, conducted under Operation DELTA SANITY II, resulted in the seizure of approximately 8,660 litres of stolen crude oil and 1,005 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).

The materials were hidden in three ovens, 28 dug-out pits, and 14 polythene sacks.

In alignment with the strategic directives of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla (Admiralty Medal), FOB Escravos has reaffirmed its commitment to ridding Nigeria’s maritime environment of criminal activity.

On 21 April 2025, acting on credible intelligence, naval personnel located and dismantled two illegal refining sites in Obodo Omadino, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.

The sites were found to contain around 1,900 litres of stolen crude stored in two ovens and 10 dug-out pits.

Further action followed on 4 May 2025, when two more sites were discovered in the same Itsekiri locality.

This operation led to the recovery of 3,710 litres of stolen crude oil and 330 litres of illegally refined AGO, stored in 11 dug-out pits and five polythene sacks.

The third round of operations occurred on 11 May 2025, when another two illegal refining sites were identified and destroyed, yielding 3,050 litres of stolen crude and 675 litres of AGO.

The items were concealed in an oven, seven dug-out pits, and nine polythene sacks.

FOB Escravos has vowed to maintain its offensive against economic saboteurs and illegal refiners, in a bid to safeguard Nigeria’s oil infrastructure and ensure national prosperity through secure energy resources.