Navy shuts multiple illegal refineries in Rivers, Delta

The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft, dismantling several illegal refining sites across Rivers and Delta states in a renewed effort to curb economic sabotage in the Niger Delta.

Director of Naval Information, Commodore Ayiwuyor Adams-Aliu, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, noting that the operations were carried out between Tuesday and Wednesday by various naval units under “Operation Delta Sanity.”

According to him, personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Escravos discovered and destroyed two illegal refining sites at Obodo Omadino community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.

Similarly, operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER uncovered another large refining camp around Bakana and Isaka areas of Rivers State, where several cooking ovens, reservoirs, sacks, jerrycans, and dugout pits filled with stolen crude oil and illegally refined products were found and deactivated.

In separate operations, the FOB Bonny team dismantled a site at Eyamba community in Bonny Local Government Area, while NNS DELTA personnel deactivated another illegal refining site at Opumani Creek in Warri South Local Government Area.

Adams-Aliu said the clampdown underscores the Navy’s renewed commitment under the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, to secure the nation’s maritime domain, protect vital oil infrastructure, and sustain lawful economic activities.

He reaffirmed that the Navy will maintain its aggressive stance against crude oil theft, illegal refining, and other maritime crimes threatening Nigeria’s energy security and environment.