The Nigerian Navy has intensified its operations against crude oil theft and illegal refining, dismantling several illicit refinery sites across Rivers and Delta states in a renewed effort to combat economic sabotage in the Niger Delta region.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Ayiwuyor Adams-Aliu, said the raids were conducted between Tuesday and Wednesday by various naval units under “Operation Delta Sanity.”
According to him, personnel from the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Escravos discovered and destroyed two illegal refining sites at Obodo Omadino community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.
Similarly, operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER uncovered a large illegal refining camp around Bakana and Isaka areas of Rivers State, where several cooking ovens, reservoirs, jerrycans, sacks, and dugout pits containing stolen crude oil and refined products were found and destroyed.
In separate operations, the FOB Bonny team dismantled another site at Eyamba community in Bonny Local Government Area, while personnel of NNS DELTA deactivated a refining camp at Opumani Creek in Warri South Local Government Area.
Commodore Adams-Aliu said the crackdown reflects the Navy’s sustained commitment, under the leadership of Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, to secure the nation’s maritime environment, safeguard vital oil infrastructure, and promote legitimate economic activity.
He reaffirmed that the Navy will continue its aggressive campaign against crude oil theft, illegal refining, and other maritime crimes that undermine Nigeria’s energy security and environmental safety.
