Navy destroys illegal refineries, nabs suspects

The Nigerian Navy has disclosed that its operatives operating under Operation Delta Sanity II discovered and destroyed several illegal refining sites and impounded 100,000 litres of stolen crude oil in January 2025.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, on Thursday, February 6.

Adams-Aliu said the navy’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain and eradicate crude oil theft yielded significant operational successes under the ongoing operation.

He said the naval officers uncovered and destroyed several illegal refineries with large quantities of stolen crude oil in Bayelsa, Rivers, Ondo, and Delta States during the month.

He said the naval officers, on January 6, apprehended one wooden and one fibre boat laden with about 2,000 litres of stolen crude oil around Krakrama general area in Rivers State.

The Nigerian Navy spokesman stated that nine inter-linked illegal refinery sites and 20,000 litres of stolen crude oil in four huge tanks, with additional 1,400 litres of illegally refined AGO, were captured on January 7.

Adams-Aliu disclosed that two pumping machines and two locally fabricated wooden boats were also discovered, deactivated, and seized at Obe-Nla riverine community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Adams-Aliu noted that one medium sized wooden passenger/cargo boat conveying six 250 litre capacity drums filled with illegally refined petrol were seized during the month, while five suspects were arrested.

Navy destroys 23 illegal refineries in one month

He said: “On January 11, a militant camp in Opu-Okumbiri, Akassa axis of Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, was raided and two suspected kidnappers were arrested.

“Items seized from the suspects include one AK 56 assault rifle, four locally fabricated guns, five pump action guns, one foreign double barrel gun, 68 rounds of 7.62/39mm, and six rounds of 7.62/51mm NATO.

“Also recovered are 25 shotgun cartridges, four empty AK47 rifle magazines, one National Identity Card, one debit card, one MTN sim card, one Itel phone, one Infinix smartphone, among others.”

Adams-Aliu revealed that a vandalised point along Akaso well 14 and 17 flow line connected to a dugout pit with about 20,000 litres of stolen crude was discovered at Tuma and Krakrama general area of Rivers State.

The naval spokesman noted: “These successful operations in January underscore the Nigerian navy’s commitment to eradicate crude oil theft.

“The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla hereby reiterates that the Nigerian Navy will continue to work assiduously to eradicate maritime crimes in Nigerian waters.”

The Star