CRIME AND SECURITY
OPERATION DELTA SENTINEL: NIGERIAN NAVY DISRUPTS REACTIVATED ILLEGAL REFINING NETWORK IN RIVERS STATE
PRESS STATEMENT
22 August 2026
OPERATION DELTA SENTINEL: NIGERIAN NAVY DISRUPTS REACTIVATED ILLEGAL REFINING NETWORK IN RIVERS STATE
_The Nigerian Navy has sustained its operational pressure against crude oil theft and illegal refining under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, with the discovery and disruption of three illegal refining sites within the Okolomade and Ogbogolo areas of Rivers State._
_The operation was conducted by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH on 21 August 2026, following credible intelligence on the suspected reactivation of illegal refining activities within the area._
_The operation uncovered two cooking drums, two large ovens, 10 reservoirs and four storage facilities associated with illegal refining activities. Two makeshift camps suspected to have provided shelter for illegal refiners were also discovered, alongside approximately 91,000 litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil and about 70 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined AGO._
_The illegal refining sites, recovered products and associated materials were handled appropriately in accordance with established procedures, effectively disrupting the reactivated facilities and denying the operators the infrastructure required to resume their activities._
_The latest operation underscores the Nigerian Navy’s sustained efforts to prevent criminal elements from rebuilding illegal refining infrastructure in areas previously affected by crude oil theft and illegal refining._
_The Nigerian Navy remains resolute in sustaining Operation DELTA SENTINEL to degrade the infrastructure supporting crude oil theft, protect critical national assets and safeguard Nigeria’s oil and gas resources from economic saboteurs._
*Signed*
*ABIODUN FOLORUNSHO*
_Navy Captain_
_Director Naval Information_
_Nigerian Navy_
