The Nigerian Navy has dismantled three major illegal oil refining installations operating within the Niger Delta region. Executed by the tactical personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship Soroh, the security sweep took place along the Egboama/Ogbogolo corridor within the Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State. The security operation targeted specialized infrastructure set up by illicit oil syndicates to undermine the country’s economic stability and degrade the local maritime ecosystem.
During the intelligence-driven raid, naval operatives uncovered and neutralized six active refining ovens, three large storage reservoirs, and four specialized dugout pits. The structural dismantling resulted in the direct recovery of 38,500 litres of stolen crude oil alongside 167,180 litres of illegally manufactured Automotive Gas Oil, bringing the collective haul of illicit petroleum products to exactly 205,680 litres. Operational commanders noted that the volume and scale of the infrastructure emphasize the growing sophistication of illegal bunkering networks operating within the coastal terrain.
The Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, confirmed that the tactical victory was achieved under the strategic framework of Operation Delta Sentinel. The ongoing maritime security campaign aims to degrade the logistical footprints, processing nodes, and supply networks driving crude theft rather than merely intercepting products while in transit. Following the successful enforcement action, the specialized equipment and confiscated petroleum fluids were treated according to existing anti-crude oil theft regulations to prevent reuse by economic saboteurs.
