Navy Destroys 9 Illegal Refining Sites, 5 Reservoirs In 3 States

Troops of the Nigerian Navy deployed for Operation Delta Sanity II have destroyed nine interlinked Illegal Refinery Site camps, including 5 active reservoirs in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Ondo States.

Naval Spokesman Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, in a statement said the troops recovered 20,000 litres of crude oil, 1,400 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, pumping machines, and locally fabricated boats in the operations.

According to the statement, troops on 6 January 2025 discovered an illegal refining site around Igbomotoru area of Bayelsa State with large quantity of stolen crude oil.

Commodore Adams-Aliu said the illicit products were seized and handled in compliance with existing regulations.

Again, on 7 January 2025, troops intercepted a large wooden boat siphoning crude oil from Enang C Platform in the Iko Area of Akwa-Ibom State.

He said that the boat was loaded with two 10,000-litre capacity GP tanks laden with an estimated quantity of 100,000litres of stolen crude oil, 12 by 10,000 litre capacity GP tanks, three service tanks, four submersible pumps and outboard engines.

In the same vein, troops on 7 January 2025, at Forward Operating Base Igbokoda discovered an Illegal Refinery Site in the Obe-Nla Riverine Community of Ilaje local government area of Ondo State.

“The operation led to the deactivation of 9 interlinked Illegal Refinery Site camps, including 5 active reservoirs. Items recovered included approximately 20,000 litres of crude oil, 1,400 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, pumping machines, and locally fabricated boats,” he said.

Adams-Aliu said the successful operations in the first week of 2025 reinforced the Nigerian Navy’s resolve to eradicate crude oil theft.