Nigerian Navy Shuts Down Six Illegal Refining Sites, Seizes Over 11,000 Litres of Stolen Crude in Delta Creeks

The Nigerian Navy, operating under the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Escravos, has sealed six illegal refining sites in the creeks of the Niger Delta region as part of its intensified efforts to curb crude oil theft and economic sabotage.

The operation, conducted under Operation Delta Sanity II, also led to the recovery of approximately 11,200 litres of stolen crude oil.

Commanding Officer of FOB Escravos, Navy Captain Ikenna Okoloagu, disclosed this to journalists in Warri on Friday, explaining that the success was achieved through credible intelligence and sustained surveillance.

“These significant operational breakthroughs in the fight against crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and other illicit activities in the Niger Delta align with the strategic directives of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, which prioritise sustained pressure on economic saboteurs,” Okoloagu said.

Giving a breakdown of the operation, he noted that between October 2 and 6, 2025, naval operatives conducted a series of coordinated raids on illegal refining camps located at Obodo Omadino in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.

On October 2, three illegal refining sites were dismantled, with 3,750 litres of stolen crude oil discovered in 10 dugout pits and six polythene sacks. Two more sites were destroyed on October 4, where 1,450 litres of stolen crude were recovered from five dugout pits. Another raid on October 6 led to the deactivation of one additional site and the recovery of 6,000 litres of crude oil stored in 13 dugout pits.

The Navy also seized a pumping machine used for the illicit operations.

Captain Okoloagu reaffirmed that FOB Escravos remains steadfast in its mission to dismantle illegal refining operations, safeguard national oil infrastructure, and support the Federal Government’s goal of increasing crude oil production.

He stressed that the Navy would continue to maintain an unrelenting offensive against oil thieves and economic saboteurs in the Niger Delta.

This latest success follows a similar operation reported on August 1, 2025, when FOB Escravos personnel destroyed 10 illegal refining sites in the region.