By Samuel Olusegun Precious
The Nigerian Navy has destroyed five illegal oil refining sites and seized massive quantities of stolen petroleum products in targeted anti-crude oil theft operations across Rivers State.
In a statement detailing the operations, naval authorities disclosed that personnel attached to NNS PATHFINDER raided several illegal refining camps situated along the Egbema axis of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA).
The naval team successfully dismantled reactivated refining infrastructure and recovered tens of thousands of liters of stolen crude oil alongside illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) concealed in dugout pits and storage reservoirs.
Simultaneously, troops from NNS SOROH executed a parallel raid, dismantling major illegal refining complexes along the Egboama/Ogbogolo axis in Ahoada West Local Government Area. Active refining ovens, storage units, and extensive networks of dugout pits holding hundreds of thousands of liters of illicit petroleum products were completely destroyed.
Reacting to the successful operations, the President-General of the Orashi National Congress (ONC), Ambassador Comrade Emeni Ibe, praised the military for the breakthrough.
Speaking on behalf of the regional body, Amb. Ibe characterized the naval offensive—conducted under Operation Delta Sentinel—as a significant milestone in combating crude oil theft, illegal refining, and economic sabotage in the Niger Delta region.
He added that sustained naval pressure against oil thieves would go a long way in safeguarding the local ecosystem, boosting Nigeria’s legitimate crude oil production, and protecting the economic livelihoods of host communities across the Orashi region.
