The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal refining activities, with its latest operations leading to the discovery of three suspected illegal refining sites, six reservoirs and approximately 99,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in Rivers and Delta States.
According to an official statement signed by the Director Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the discoveries were made during separate operations conducted by Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH and NNS DELTA on August 31, 2026.
Folorunsho said the operations followed credible intelligence on suspected illegal petroleum activities within the two states, adding that naval personnel uncovered several facilities allegedly used for the storage and processing of illicit petroleum products.
Among the infrastructure discovered were a large refining oven, storage facilities and dugout reservoirs containing products suspected to be stolen crude oil and illegally refined AGO.
The Navy said the combined discoveries represented a significant disruption to illicit petroleum activities, particularly the infrastructure required to sustain crude oil theft and illegal refining.
According to the statement, the identified sites, facilities and recovered products were appropriately handled in line with established procedures.
The Navy said the latest operational gains demonstrated its ability to sustain pressure on criminal networks across multiple operational areas while denying them access to infrastructure used to support crude oil theft and illegal refining.
The latest operations form part of the Nigerian Navy’s ongoing efforts to curb economic sabotage and disrupt illicit activities within the nation’s oil-producing communities.
