The Nigerian Navy has disrupted three illegal refining sites and recovered approximately 85,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in Rivers State as it intensifies its operations against crude oil theft and illegal refining.

The operation was carried out by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder in the Egbema axis of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Council of the state, following credible intelligence on the activities of suspected oil thieves and illegal refiners operating in the area.

According to the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operation led to the discovery of three illegal refining sites containing eight dugout pits, sacks and reservoirs filled with the suspected illegally refined AGO.

He said the sites and recovered products were handled in accordance with established procedures for combating crude oil theft and illegal refining.

The latest operation came barely two weeks after NNS Pathfinder disrupted two illegal refining sites in the same general area on August 3, 2026.

Folorunsho said the repeated disruption of illegal refining activities demonstrated the Nigerian Navy’s sustained efforts to prevent criminal elements from regaining operational footholds and rebuilding illicit refining infrastructure.

He added that continued naval pressure had also contributed to a decline in the reactivation of illegal refining sites in the area, describing the development as an indication of the impact of sustained operations against crude oil theft and illegal refining networks.

The Nigerian Navy, he said, remained committed to sustaining Operation Delta Sentinel to protect critical national assets, disrupt illegal petroleum supply chains and support the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen the oil and gas sector.

The operation, he added, was also aimed at safeguarding the nation’s economic interests by degrading networks involved in the theft of crude oil and illegal petroleum refining.