Navy dismantles 10 illegal refineries, seizes stolen oil

Navy dismantles 10 illegal refineries, seizes stolen oil

Operatives of the Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) Escravos have dismantled 10 illegal refining sites in the Obodo Omadino area of Warri South Local Government Area, Delta State.

The Commanding Officer, Navy Captain Ikenna Okoloagu, announced the development in a statement issued in Warri on Thursday.

He said the exercise was carried out in July 2025 under Operation DELTA SANITY II.

According to Okoloagu, the operations followed directives of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, which mandate continuous pressure on oil thieves and economic saboteurs.

He said, “Specifically, on July 1, operatives acting on actionable intelligence dismantled three illegal refining sites at Obodo Omadino.

“The sites contained 7,200 litres of stolen crude oil and 1,575 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) stored across one oven, 30 dugout pits and 21 polythene sacks.

“Subsequently, on July 12, one additional site was dismantled at Oteghele within Obodo Omadino, and 2,300 litres of stolen crude oil stored in five dugout pits were recovered.

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“In a follow-up operation, on July 19, another illegal refining site with one pumping machine was uncovered and dismantled at Oteghele.

“Maintaining the momentum, on July 23, the Base deactivated two active illegal refining sites laden with 2,300 litres of stolen crude oil and 2,675 litres of illegally refined AGO.”

He noted the naval personnel deactivated three more illegal refining sites within Obodo Omadino, seizing additional volumes of stolen crude oil and AGO on July 28.

“Cumulatively, the Base deactivated 10 illegal refining sites and seized approximately 20,950 litres of stolen crude oil and 6,395 litres of illegally refined AGO.

“The products were discovered in two locally fabricated ovens, 92 dugout pits and 60 polythene sacks,” he said.

Okoloagu reaffirmed the Base’s commitment to dismantling illegal refining infrastructure and securing the nation’s oil and gas resources.

He further warned perpetrators to abandon the illegal trade or face legal consequences.

Navy dismantles 10 illegal refineries, seizes stolen oil