The Nigerian Navy has dismantled another cluster of illegal refining sites and discovered 43,000 litres of suspected illegally refined petroleum products in Rivers State.

This is contained in an operational report by the Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, made available to journalists in Abuja.

Mr Folorunsho said that the operation was carried out by officials of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER under Operation Delta Sentinel within the Egbema axis of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area.

According to him, acting on credible intelligence, officers conducted a targeted anti-crude oil theft operation within the Egbema axis, leading to the discovery of four illegal refining sites.

He stated, “The operation resulted in the recovery of approximately 28,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 15,000 litres of suspected Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) concealed in dugout pits, reservoirs, and sacks.

“The illegal refining infrastructure was subsequently dismantled, while the recovered products were handled in accordance with extant anti-crude oil theft procedures.”

The director of naval information said that the latest operation marked another significant setback for criminals operating within the area, where illegal refining sites have repeatedly been re-established in despite previous enforcement actions.

“The continued attempts to reactivate these facilities underscore the determination of crude oil theft syndicates to sustain their illicit enterprise.

“However, the Nigerian Navy has remained equally resolute in denying them the opportunity to regain operational footholds,” he said.

He added that persistently targeting reactivated refining sites, the navy continued to degrade the operational capability of crude oil theft networks, disrupt illegal petroleum production, and protect Nigeria’s critical oil and gas infrastructure from economic sabotage.

Mr Folorunsho reaffirmed the navy’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations to dismantle criminal networks, deny economic saboteurs freedom of action, and safeguard the nation’s maritime environment and economic interests.

(NAN)