The Nigerian Navy has recovered more than 1.2 million litres of suspected illegally refined petroleum products and stolen crude oil valued at over N1.3 billion during operations in Rivers State.
The seizures were carried out by NNS Pathfinder under Operation Delta Sentinel, part of ongoing efforts to curb crude oil theft and illegal refining in the Niger Delta.
According to the Director of Naval Information, Abiodun Folorunsho, patrol teams uncovered a major illegal refining site in Umoku, Ndoni, within the Ndoni/Egbema axis following credible intelligence.
At the site, personnel discovered large dugout pits and locally fabricated refining ovens used for processing stolen crude. The operation yielded about 708,000 litres of illegally refined products—including Automotive Gas Oil and kerosene—alongside approximately 310,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil.
The refined products were valued at over N1.06 billion, while the crude oil was estimated at about N288 million. The suspects fled upon sighting naval patrol teams.
In a related operation, Forward Operating Base Bonny, supported by naval air assets, uncovered additional illegal storage sites in Allison Community, recovering about 231,000 litres of crude oil valued at over N215 million.
The Navy also reported earlier recoveries between January and March 2026, during which over 457,000 litres of stolen products worth more than N600 million were seized, alongside the dismantling of several illegal refining networks.
At sea, three vessels—MT KPODU, MT WESTAF, and MT STELIOS K—were intercepted carrying over 900 metric tonnes of suspected stolen crude oil, equivalent to about 1.04 million litres and valued at more than N967 million.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has approved a 90-day extension of Operation Delta Sentinel to sustain the momentum against crude oil theft.
The Navy reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling illegal oil networks and protecting Nigeria’s economic resources.
Linus Aleke
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