Navy Cracks Down on Oil Thieves, Destroys Illegal Refining Infrastructure

The Nigerian Navy has recorded yet another major breakthrough in its ongoing crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal refining activities across the country.

The Navy explained that its operatives uncovered three suspected illegal refining sites, six reservoirs and about 99,000 liters of products suspected to be stolen crude oil and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, in Rivers and Delta States.

The discoveries were made during separate operations by the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS SOROH and NNS DELTA on August 31, 2026, according to Naija News.

The operations were executed on credible intelligence on suspected illegal petroleum activities in the affected areas.

Read Also: Troops neutralise terrorists, intercept ammunition courier in Zamfara, Kaduna

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operatives also recovered various equipment and facilities, alleged to have been used for illegal refining.

A large refining oven, storage facilities and dugout reservoirs containing suspected stolen crude oil were among the items found.

The discoveries had dealt a major blow to illegal petroleum activities especially the storage and processing infrastructure used to sustain crude oil theft and illegal refining, Folorunsho said.

“We treated the recovered products and facilities in accordance with laid down procedures,” he said.

The latest operation, the Navy spokesman said, was a further demonstration of the Nigerian Navy’s capability to sustain pressure on criminal elements across various operational areas.

He said the operations would continue to deny criminal syndicates the infrastructure to indulge in crude oil theft and illegal refining activities.