The Nigerian Navy has dismantled an illegal crude oil refining operation in Rivers State, recovering large quantities of stolen petroleum products as part of intensified efforts to curb economic sabotage in the Niger Delta.
The operation, conducted by the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder Anti-Crude Oil Theft patrol team under the flagship maritime security initiative Operation Delta Sentinel, targeted illegal activities in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni area of the state .
According to a statement released late Saturday on the Force’s official X handle, troops uncovered a tampered wellhead belonging to Renaissance African Energy Limited, which had been illegally connected to an improvised pipeline used to siphon crude oil into dugout pits for illegal refining .
“Further exploitation of the area led to the dismantling of illegal refining sites and equipment, as well as the recovery of a significant amount of suspected stolen crude oil, illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK),” the statement read .
Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder, Commodore Mutalib Raji, praised the patrol team for their professionalism and operational vigilance during the mission .
He noted that the outcome further underscores the operational effectiveness of Operation Delta Sentinel in combating crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other forms of economic sabotage in the Niger Delta .
Commodore Raji also reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to sustaining intensified operations and strengthening collaboration with relevant security agencies and stakeholders to protect critical national assets and safeguard the nation’s economic interests .
The latest operation forms part of a sustained campaign against illegal refining across the region. Recent months have seen multiple successful interdictions, including the seizure of vessels and destruction of refining sites in Delta, Bayelsa, and Ondo States .
In a separate operation in the Bukuma area of Degema Local Government Area, Rivers State, naval personnel dismantled five illegal refining sites hidden deep within mangrove swamps, uncovering makeshift facilities that included large metal cooking pots, dug-out pits, and hidden surface tanks used to process stolen crude oil into diesel and kerosene .
These illicit operations cause severe environmental damage, resulting in widespread oil spills, destruction of vegetation, and contamination of rivers and farmlands, with long-term consequences for biodiversity and human life .
The scale of crude oil theft in Nigeria remains substantial. It is estimated that the country loses over 300,000 barrels of crude oil daily to oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other forms of criminality, leading to revenue losses estimated at N1.29 trillion annually .
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, had previously commended the Nigerian Navy on steps taken so far while urging the service to sustain the momentum in addressing the crisis .
The Degema operation is part of the broader Operation Delta Safe, a military campaign targeting economic saboteurs across the Niger Delta that involves aerial reconnaissance, increased maritime patrols, and collaboration with local informants .
While no suspects were arrested during the recent Rivers operation, the Navy confirmed that investigations are ongoing to identify the perpetrators and supply chains involved. Officers encountered no resistance during the raid, as operators abandoned the site and fled .
Security experts have long argued for a more integrated approach that combines enforcement with local empowerment, particularly through the establishment of modular refineries and community surveillance programmes .
As the federal government pursues more lasting solutions, the navy is calling for stronger inter-agency collaboration and deeper community engagement. Officials stress that continued success in curbing oil theft will depend on real-time intelligence and public support .
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