Nigerian Navy Dismantles Illegal Refinery in Rivers State, Recovers 205,680 Litres

The Nigerian Navy carried out an intelligence‑led operation under Operation Delta Sentinel in the Egboama/Ogbogolo axis of Ahoada West Local Government Area, Rivers State. Personnel from the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Soroh dismantled three illegal refining sites, which included six refining ovens, three reservoirs and four dugout pits.

Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho said the navy recovered about 38,500 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and roughly 167,180 litres of illegally refined automotive gas oil, totalling 205,680 litres of petroleum products. The navy treated the seized oil and equipment according to anti‑crude‑oil‑theft procedures.

The operation was described as a major blow to criminal networks involved in oil theft and illegal refining, which cause environmental damage and loss of national revenue. The navy reaffirmed its commitment to continue targeting the infrastructure, logistics and supply chains that support such illicit activities across the Niger Delta.