Nigerian Navy Recovers N600m Stolen Crude, Destroys Illegal Refining Sites

The Nigerian Navy has recovered stolen crude oil valued at over N600 million and destroyed several illegal refining sites in the Niger Delta during a renewed crackdown on oil theft and related economic crimes.

The operation, conducted in the creeks in Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta States, was based on credible intelligence indicating the presence of an active illegal refining network. Naval personnel stormed the area and uncovered large quantities of crude oil stored in reservoirs and locally fabricated containers.

Director of Information, Nigerian Navy, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed that in Rivers State, personnel from Nigerian Navy Ship Soroh deployed an Anti-Crude Oil Theft team to the Egboama/Ogbogolo axis in Ahoada West Local Government Area along the Rivers-Bayelsa boundary.

N433 million seized in Rivers

Despite the challenging terrain, the team executed a combined land and water operation, leading to the discovery of several illegal refining installations, including dugout pits, ovens, reservoirs, and storage facilities.

“A comprehensive assessment of the site uncovered about 103,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and 190,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). The crude oil was valued at over N91 million, while the AGO was estimated at more than N342 million, bringing the total value of the seizure in the area to over N433 million,” Folorunsho said.

Delta State facility deactivated

In a related operation in Delta State, personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship Delta uncovered and deactivated a concealed crude oil storage facility at Bennett Island. The facility was linked to a buried pipeline through an improvised hose system.

Investigations revealed that it contained about 78,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil valued at approximately N69 million, alongside equipment used for illegal siphoning.

All illegal refining infrastructure and storage facilities were dismantled on-site, while recovered products were handled in accordance with operational procedures. The suspected operators of the facilities reportedly fled upon sighting naval personnel.

Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, commended the participating units for the successful operations and charged them to intensify efforts in dismantling criminal networks involved in oil theft under Operation Delta Sentinel.

Sources: Daily Trust, Nairametrics, Voice of Nigeria, Vanguard