The Nigerian Navy has uncovered three suspected illegal refining sites containing approximately 98,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and illegally refined diesel in Okarki community, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The discovery was made on Saturday by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER during an operation under Operation Delta Sentinel, the Navy’s ongoing campaign against crude oil theft and illegal refining in the Niger Delta.
The recovered products comprised about 65,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and 33,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel. The products were stored in approximately 12 dugout pits and containers spread across the three locations.
Director of Naval Information, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed the operation in a statement, explaining that the suspected operators had fled before the naval personnel arrived. No arrests were made.
The Navy said the sites and recovered petroleum products were handled in accordance with established procedures. It added that disrupting the storage facilities denied the suspected operators access to a substantial volume of products that could otherwise have entered unlawful distribution channels.
The latest operation follows another intervention by NNS PATHFINDER in Okarki on October 3, when naval personnel uncovered two suspected illegal refining sites containing approximately 58,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products.
That earlier operation involved nine dugout pits, storage containers and sacks containing the suspected petroleum products. The Navy also reported that no arrests were made because the suspected operators escaped before the team arrived.
The repeated discoveries in the community point to continuing challenges with suspected illegal petroleum storage and refining in the area. The operations also highlight the difficulty of apprehending those behind the activities when personnel arrive at sites that have already been abandoned.
In a separate operation reported on October 4, the Navy dismantled an illegal refining facility in Promise Land community, along Nanabie Creek in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State. The facility contained three large storage tanks and a cooking pot, which were destroyed in accordance with established procedures.
The Navy has reiterated its commitment to intelligence-led patrols and surveillance aimed at identifying illegal refining facilities, disrupting the storage and movement of suspected stolen petroleum products, and supporting efforts to bring those responsible to justice.
Crude oil theft and illegal refining remain significant challenges for Nigeria’s oil-producing region, threatening public revenue and creating environmental risks. Beyond locating refining sites, sustained enforcement efforts must also identify the people and networks responsible for stealing, storing, processing and distributing the products.
The latest recovery brings the total volume of suspected petroleum products discovered in the two October operations at Okarki to approximately 156,000 litres. However, the Navy has not announced any arrests linked to either operation.
