The Nigerian Navy has uncovered and deactivated two illegal refining sites in Okarki Community, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, recovering approximately 53,000 litres of suspected stolen petroleum products.
The operation was carried out on November 11 by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder under Operation Delta Sentinel, following intelligence reports on illegal oil bunkering activities in the area.
According to the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the sites contained about eight dugout pits and storage containers holding an estimated 23,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and 30,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
The Navy said the illegal refining facilities were deactivated and the recovered petroleum products handled in line with established procedures for tackling crude oil theft and illegal refining.
However, no arrests were made as the suspected operators reportedly fled before naval personnel arrived at the sites.
The latest operation follows an earlier raid conducted by NNS Pathfinder on October 10 in the same general area, during which three illegal refining sites were discovered and deactivated.
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The Navy reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations to dismantle illegal refining networks, disrupt crude oil theft and protect the nation’s oil and gas infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Western Marine Command, and the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB), Badagry, have strengthened their collaboration to tackle smuggling and other illegal activities along the country’s waterways ahead of the yuletide season.
The renewed partnership followed a courtesy visit by the Acting Customs Area Controller, Thomas Jonah, to the FOB Commander, Naval Captain Sa’id Kabir, in Badagry, Lagos.
The engagement comes amid concerns over attempts by smugglers to transport counterfeit goods, illicit drugs and petroleum products into the country through waterways.
The Customs Service recently seized 14,100 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 204 bags of foreign parboiled rice and 40 cartons of assorted cosmetic products, with a combined Duty Paid Value of ₦83.12 million, during anti-smuggling operations.
Both agencies pledged to strengthen intelligence sharing, operational coordination and joint surveillance to secure the waterways, protect lives and property, and combat maritime-related crimes.
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