Nigerian Navy Discovers 117,000 Litres of Suspected Stolen Crude Oil, Destroys 3 Illegal Refineries in Rivers
The Nigerian Navy has uncovered approximately 117,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and deactivated three illegal refining sites in Rivers State as part of its ongoing crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal bunkering.
The operation, conducted by the Forward Operating Base (FOB) BONNY on November 5, 2026, targeted illegal refining activities at Awokiri Community in Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area of the state.
The Navy said the operation followed credible intelligence indicating the activation of new illegal refining sites within the community.
During the operation, the naval team discovered 16 dugout pits, nine of which contained approximately 115,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil.
Another storage tank was found containing about 2,000 litres, bringing the total volume of recovered suspected stolen crude oil to approximately 117,000 litres.
The team also discovered four pits containing water and three freshly excavated pits.
The Navy disclosed that the identified sites, pits and products were handled in accordance with extant regulations.
The operation, according to the Service, underscores its commitment to combating crude oil theft and illegal bunkering through intelligence-driven operations.
It added that dismantling illegal refining facilities and disrupting criminal networks remained critical to protecting Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure and safeguarding the nation’s economic interests.
The Nigerian Navy reaffirmed its determination to deny economic saboteurs access to the country’s petroleum resources while supporting efforts to increase crude oil production and strengthen security across Nigeria’s maritime domain.
