Navy Destroys Illegal Refinery on Rivers–Bayelsa Border, Recovers 8,500 Litres of Petroleum Products

The Nigerian Navy has dismantled an illegally reconstructed refining cluster along the Rivers–Bayelsa border, recovering about 8,500 litres of suspected petroleum products during the operation.

The Director of Naval Information, Navy Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja.

Folorunsho said the operation was carried out by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH under Operation DELTA SENTINEL following credible intelligence on illegal refining activities around the Egboama/Ogbogolo community in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State.

According to him, the operation involved coordinated land and water insertion backed by aerial surveillance to identify concealed refining sites within the creeks.

He said troops uncovered about 5,500 litres of suspected crude oil and 3,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).

The naval spokesman added that generators, welding machines and other equipment used in expanding the illegal refining facilities were also recovered.

Folorunsho noted that findings from the operation revealed deliberate attempts by criminal networks to reactivate refining infrastructure previously destroyed by security operatives.

“All identified sites and equipment have been deactivated in line with operational procedures, while surveillance and monitoring of adjoining creek corridors remain ongoing,” he said.

He stated that the ongoing operations were aimed at preventing the re-establishment of illegal refining camps and dismantling structures supporting crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.

Folorunsho reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to intelligence-driven operations targeted at protecting critical national assets, securing the maritime environment and denying economic saboteurs freedom of action in the region.