Dare Babalola
No fewer than 10 illegal refining sites have been destroyed in the Warri South Local Government Area of Delta.
The operation was part of the ongoing Operation DELTA SANITY II by the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Escravos of the Nigerian Navy.
The Commanding Officer of the FOB Escravos, Navy Capt. Ikenna Okoloagu said this on Thursday in Warri.
According to Okoloagu, the Navy took advantage of credible information to deactivate the illegal refining sites at Obodo Omadino Community in July 2025.
He pointed out that the operations aligned with the Strategic Directives of the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla which emphasised sustained pressure on economic saboteurs.
He said, “Specifically, on July 1, operatives acting on actionable intelligence dismantled three illegal refining sites at Obodo Omadino.
“The sites contained 7,200 litres of stolen crude oil and 1,575 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) stored across one oven, 30 dugout pits and 21 polythene sacks.
“Subsequently, on July 12, one additional site was dismantled at Oteghele within Obodo Omadino, and 2,300 litres of stolen crude oil stored in five dugout pits were recovered.
“In a follow-up operation, on July 19, another illegal refining site with one pumping machine was uncovered and dismantled at Oteghele.
“Maintaining the momentum, on July 23, the Base deactivated two active illegal refining sites laden with 2,300 litres of stolen crude oil and 2,675 litres of illegally refined AGO.”
In addition, Okoloagu said two illegal sites were deactivated at the Obodo Omadino community on Sunday, adding that the naval personnel also dismantled another active illegal refining site at Obodo Omadino.
“Cumulatively, the Base deactivated 10 illegal refining sites and seized approximately 20,950 litres of stolen crude oil and 6,395 litres of illegally refined AGO.
“The products were discovered in two locally fabricated ovens, 92 dugout pits and 60 polythene sacks,” he said.
While warning the perpetrators to desist from the illicit acts, Okoloagu reemphasised the Base’s unwavering commitment to dismantling illegal refining infrastructure and safeguarding the nation’s oil and gas assets.
