Navy dismantles illegal refinery in Rivers, recovers 20,000 litres of stolen crude
Metro Navy dismantles illegal refinery in Rivers, recovers 20,000 litres of stolen crude Published on March 27, 2026 By Matthew Atungwu googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1500386953281-8'); }); The Nigerian Navy has deactivated an illegal refining site in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, recovering more than 20,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil. This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director of Naval Information, Navy Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, on Friday in Abuja Folorunsho said the operation was carried out under Operation Delta Sentinel by personnel of the Forward Operating Base, FOB, Bonny, Eastern Naval Command. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1524595905268-5'); }); He said the operation followed credible intelligence on illegal refining activities in Allison Community, Bonny Folorunsho said an anti-crude oil theft patrol team was deployed to the area, leading to the discovery of an active illegal refining site. He said the site contained dugout pits, locally fabricated cooking and cooling systems, as well as sacks filled with substances suspected 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 said the success underscored the Nigerian Navy’s sustained efforts to curb crude oil theft and economic sabotage in the Niger Delta. He added that the operation aligned with the directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, CNS, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, to intensify intelligence-driven operations to safeguard critical oil infrastructure. He noted that such efforts were also geared towards supporting the Federal Government’s target of achieving 2.5 million barrels per day oil production. Don't Miss Hidden bomb neutralised by troops in Niger You may like National Convention: Wike meets Rivers APC delegates Navy rescues seven after boat collision in Bayelsa Troops recover 75,000 litres of stolen crude oil in Rivers Court fixes date to hear suit challenging PDP candidates’ nomination for Rivers LG polls Eid-el-Fitr: Muslim community asks Fubara to build central mosque in Rivers Chaos as suspected thugs invade ADC Women’s Forum meeting in Rivers