The Nigerian Navy has dismantled nine illegal crude oil refining sites and uncovered 23 dugout pits during an operation in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The operation was carried out by personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, following credible intelligence on illegal refining activities within the Wakama/Bolo and Aworkiri communities.
According to the Navy, 18 of the 23 dugout pits contained an estimated 104,000 litres of substances suspected to be stolen crude oil. Security operatives also discovered five newly excavated pits that were being prepared for illegal refining operations and destroyed them before they became active.
The operation also led to the recovery of eight locally fabricated refining pots and three large storage tanks, dealing a significant blow to crude oil theft syndicates operating in the area.
The Navy said the successful operation prevented the expansion of illegal refining activities and disrupted the ability of criminal groups to continue illicit petroleum production.
It added that all illegal facilities and recovered products were handled in line with established procedures for combating crude oil theft.
The service reaffirmed its commitment to intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks, protecting Nigeria’s critical oil and gas infrastructure, and safeguarding the nation’s economic resources from sabotage.
