The Nigerian Navy has dismantled nine illegal refining sites and uncovered 23 dugout pits during an anti-crude oil theft operation in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The development was disclosed in an operational update issued on Tuesday in Abuja by the Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho.
Mr Folorunsho said the operation was conducted by personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) BONNY under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.
He explained that 18 of the 23 dugout pits contained an estimated 104,000 litres of substances suspected to be stolen crude oil, while five newly dug pits, which were being prepared for illegal refining activities, were discovered and destroyed before becoming operational.
According to him, the operation has curtailed attempts by crude oil thieves to expand their illegal refining operations in the area.
He said the exercise dealt another significant blow to oil theft syndicates and underscored the Navy’s commitment to protecting the nation’s oil and gas assets.
Mr Folorunsho added that acting on credible intelligence, naval personnel raided criminal facilities hidden within the Wakama/Bolo and Aworkiri communities, preventing suspects from establishing additional illegal refining camps.
He also disclosed that operatives recovered eight locally made refining pots and three large storage tanks, further weakening the capability of the illegal refining network.
He noted that all destroyed facilities and recovered products were handled in line with approved anti-crude oil theft procedures.
The naval spokesman said the latest operation demonstrated the Navy’s resolve to not only shut down existing illegal refining sites but also stop criminal groups from rebuilding their infrastructure.
He reaffirmed that the service would continue intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks, safeguarding critical national assets and protecting Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.