By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerian Navy has recorded another major operational breakthrough under Operation Delta Sentinel, dismantling a sprawling illegal refining and crude oil storage network across Rivers State, Bayelsa State and Delta State, with seized products valued at more than ₦600 million.
The coordinated operations, conducted on April 17, 2026, targeted several illegal refining locations and crude storage facilities believed to be part of a large-scale oil theft syndicate operating across the three Niger Delta states.
In a statement signed by the Director of Naval Information, Abiodun Folorunsho, naval authorities said the operation demonstrated the service’s renewed determination to dismantle networks responsible for crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in the region.
According to the statement, personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH, acting on credible intelligence, deployed an Anti-Crude Oil Theft team to the Egboama/Ogbogolo axis of Ahoada West Local Government Area along the Rivers–Bayelsa boundary corridor. Despite the difficult terrain, the naval team executed a coordinated land and water operation that led to the discovery of multiple illegal refining installations.
The sites contained several dugout pits, ovens, reservoirs and storage facilities used for sustained illicit refining activities. A detailed assessment of the facilities uncovered about 103,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and approximately 190,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
Using conservative market estimates, the Navy valued the recovered crude oil at over ₦91 million, while the illegally refined AGO was estimated at more than ₦342 million, bringing the combined value of the products recovered from the location to over ₦433 million.
In a related operation in Delta State, personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship DELTA uncovered and deactivated a concealed crude oil storage facility located around Bennett Island. Investigations at the site revealed a buried pipeline linked to an improvised hose system used to siphon crude oil.
Naval personnel recovered about 78,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil from the location, with an estimated value of approximately ₦69 million, along with equipment used in the illegal siphoning operation.
All illegal refining infrastructure and storage facilities discovered during the operations were dismantled on site, while the recovered petroleum products were handled in line with established operational procedures. The perpetrators reportedly fled the area upon sighting the advancing naval team.
The Navy noted that the operations reflect the intensified crackdown on crude oil theft across several operational theatres under Operation Delta Sentinel, which was recently extended by an additional 90 days to consolidate operational gains and further degrade criminal networks involved in oil theft and illegal refining.
Commending the personnel involved in the operations, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Idi Abbas, charged the Commander Task Group, Suleiman Ibrahim, and participating units not to relent in their efforts but to intensify the campaign against criminal syndicates targeting the nation’s oil resources.
He reaffirmed that the Nigerian Navy remains committed to protecting Nigeria’s critical oil infrastructure, safeguarding the maritime environment, and securing the country’s economic lifelines in line with the service’s strategic vision and mission.
