The Nigerian Navy has shut down an illegal refining operation in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, recovering more than 20,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by Navy Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, the Acting Director of Naval Information.
Folorunsho explained that the mission was executed under Operation Delta Sentinel by personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Bonny, within the Eastern Naval Command.
According to him, the operation was prompted by credible intelligence pointing to illegal refining activities in Allison Community, Bonny.
An anti-crude oil theft patrol team was subsequently deployed to the location, where they uncovered an active illegal refining site.
The facility reportedly included dugout pits, makeshift cooking and cooling systems, as well as sacks containing substances believed to be stolen crude oil.
“Further assessment revealed over 20,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil stored at the facility.
“The illegal refining infrastructure was dismantled in line with established operational procedures, while the perpetrators fled on sighting the naval team,” he said.
Folorunsho noted that the operation highlights the Nigerian Navy’s ongoing commitment to tackling crude oil theft and economic sabotage in the Niger Delta region.
He added that the effort aligns with directives from the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, aimed at strengthening intelligence-led operations to protect vital oil infrastructure.
He further emphasized that such initiatives support the Federal Government’s goal of reaching a daily oil production target of 2.5 million barrels.
