Nigerian Navy Destroys Illegal Refining Sites, Uncovers Oil Theft Networks in Niger Delta

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal refining in the Niger Delta, dismantling multiple illicit sites and disrupting suspected oil theft networks across Rivers and Bayelsa States.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the Navy said the operations were carried out through coordinated efforts by Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER and NNS SOROH, acting on credible intelligence.

According to the Navy, personnel of NNS PATHFINDER deployed an Anti-Crude Oil Theft patrol team on 1 May 2026 to the Ahoada West axis of Rivers State, where they uncovered and dismantled five illegal refining sites around the Egboama-Ogbogolo community.

The sites reportedly contained about 15 dug-out pits, storage facilities, and reservoirs filled with an estimated 85,000 litres of suspected crude oil and 78,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).

The Navy said the products were traced to a nearby wellhead, though the operating company could not be immediately identified. The installations were subsequently destroyed in line with standard operational procedures. No arrests were made as suspects fled on sighting naval personnel.

In a separate operation, personnel of NNS SOROH intercepted suspected oil thieves around the Soku Gas Plant pipeline corridor in Bayelsa State at about 1900 hours following intelligence reports of suspicious movements in the area.

A search of the vicinity led to the discovery of equipment used for illegal pipeline connections and oil theft, concealed in nearby bushes. Items recovered included 10 jerrycans, a 300-metre 3-inch red hose, a 200-metre 4-inch brown hose, and a 20-metre blue pipe.

The Navy confirmed that the suspects escaped before troops arrived, but all recovered items were secured in line with established procedures.

“These operations underscore the Nigerian Navy’s sustained dominance and resolve in denying economic saboteurs freedom of action within the maritime and littoral environment,” the statement said.

Captain Folorunsho noted that efforts are ongoing to track down fleeing suspects and dismantle wider criminal networks linked to oil theft in the region.

He reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to protecting national assets, stressing that sustained operations would continue to make the maritime domain unsafe for criminal activities while supporting legitimate economic operations.

The Navy also called on members of the public to provide credible intelligence to security agencies, noting that community cooperation remains vital in the fight against crude oil theft and environmental sabotage in the Niger Delta.