Navy discovers 68,175 litres of suspected stolen crude oil in Rivers

The Nigerian Navy has sustained its crackdown on crude oil theft and unlawful refining actions in Rivers State, figuring out a mixed whole of roughly 68,175 litres of suspected stolen crude oil.

According to the Spokesperson of the Service, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorusho, the discoveries have been made throughout two separate operations in Ogbogolo Community, Ahoada West Local Government Area.

He defined that the operations, carried out on October 24 and November 7, 2026, by the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS, SOROH underneath Operation DELTA SENTINEL, adopted credible intelligence on unlawful petroleum storage and refining actions throughout the Orashi Forest and adjoining areas.

According to him, “During the operation on October 24, the naval team discovered two crude oil storage sites containing four dugout pits, 29 sacks and a 25-litre keg, with an estimated total of 8,675 litres of suspected crude oil.”

He added that in a subsequent operation on November 7, the workforce found two unlawful refining websites comprising two giant and 36 small dugout pits, alongside different storage amenities containing an estimated 59,500 litres of suspected stolen crude oil.

The recovered merchandise and related objects have been dealt with in accordance with established procedures.

Captain Folorusho stated the discoveries highlighted the Nigerian Navy’s sustained intelligence-led efforts underneath Operation DELTA SENTINEL to dismantle unlawful petroleum storage and refining infrastructure, disrupt crude oil theft networks and deny financial saboteurs entry to the nation’s pure sources.

He added that by sustaining operational stress in recognized areas of prison exercise, the Service continued to help the safety of essential oil and fuel infrastructure and safeguard Nigeria’s financial pursuits.

He reaffirmed that the Nigerian Navy remained resolute in sustaining these operations in collaboration with related stakeholders to fight crude oil theft, disrupt unlawful refining actions and defend the nation’s maritime and financial pursuits.