The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on illegal oil refining in Rivers State, dismantling two illegal refining sites and recovering about 34,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).

The sites were uncovered by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder around the Ohaji axis of Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area during an operation conducted on August 28, 2026.

According to the Navy, the recovered petroleum products were stored in dugout pits, sacks and reservoirs at the sites, alongside other equipment and materials believed to have been used for illegal refining activities.

The operation was part of sustained efforts by NNS Pathfinder to prevent the re-establishment of illegal refining infrastructure in the area, where repeated interventions by security agencies have been aimed at disrupting crude oil theft and illegal refining.

The Navy said the continued operations had contributed to a decline in the reactivation of illegal refining sites within the general area.

Although the naval team successfully identified and deactivated the two sites, no arrest was made as the suspected operators fled before the arrival of the personnel.

The Navy said the recovered products and other items found at the sites were handled in line with established procedures for operations against crude oil theft and illegal refining.

The latest operation, it added, was conducted under Operation Delta Sentinel, an intelligence-led initiative aimed at disrupting crude oil theft and illegal refining, protecting critical national assets and safeguarding legitimate economic activities in Nigeria’s maritime and riverine communities.

The Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said the Nigerian Navy would sustain its operations against activities capable of undermining the nation’s oil industry and economic interests.