Navy Raids Rivers, Delta Illegal Refineries, Recovers 99,000 Litres Of Stolen Crude

The Nigerian Navy has uncovered three suspected illegal refining sites in Rivers and Delta states, recovering approximately 99,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).

The discoveries were made on August 31, 2026, during separate operations conducted by the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH and NNS DELTA following credible intelligence on suspected crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in the affected areas.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the operations also led to the discovery of six reservoirs, a large refining oven and several storage facilities allegedly being used in the illegal processing and storage of petroleum products.

Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed the development in a statement, saying the recovered products and equipment were handled in accordance with established procedures.

The Navy said the discoveries represented another significant step in its ongoing efforts to disrupt crude oil theft and illegal refining activities across the country.

The recovered reservoirs and refining equipment, according to the Navy, highlight the infrastructure allegedly used by criminal networks to store stolen crude and process it into petroleum products.

Folorunsho said the latest operations demonstrated the Nigerian Navy’s continued ability to identify and disrupt illegal petroleum activities across its various operational areas.

He added that the Navy would sustain its operations aimed at denying criminal networks access to the infrastructure required for crude oil theft and illegal refining.

The latest development comes amid continued efforts by security agencies to combat oil theft and other illegal activities in Nigeria’s oil-producing communities.