CRIME AND SECURITY
OPERATION DELTA SENTINEL: NIGERIAN NAVY SUSTAINS PRESSURE ON ILLEGAL REFINING NETWORKS, DISRUPTS 3 SITES IN RIVERS STATE.
PRESS STATEMENT
_15 August 2026_
OPERATION DELTA SENTINEL: NIGERIAN NAVY SUSTAINS PRESSURE ON ILLEGAL REFINING NETWORKS, DISRUPTS 3 SITES IN RIVERS STATE.
_The Nigerian Navy has sustained its operational pressure against crude oil theft and illegal refining activities under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, with the disruption of three illegal refining sites and the recovery of approximately 85,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in Rivers State._
_The latest operation was conducted by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER in the Egbema axis of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, following credible intelligence on the continued activities of criminal elements within the area._
_The operation led to the discovery of three illegal refining sites containing eight dugout pits, sacks and reservoirs laden with approximately 85,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined AGO. The illegal refining sites and recovered products were subsequently handled in accordance with established anti-crude oil theft procedures._
_The latest success comes barely two weeks after NNS PATHFINDER disrupted two illegal refining sites within the same general area on 3 August 2026. The repeated disruption of illegal refining activities in the area reflects the Nigerian Navy’s sustained efforts to prevent criminal elements from regaining operational footholds and rebuilding illicit refining infrastructure._
_The continued operational pressure is also yielding positive results, with a decline in the reactivation of illegal refining sites within the area. This demonstrates the growing impact of sustained naval action in degrading the activities of crude oil theft and illegal refining networks._
_The Nigerian Navy remains resolute in sustaining Operation DELTA SENTINEL to protect critical national assets, disrupt illegal petroleum supply chains and support the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and safeguard national economic interests._
*Signed*
*ABIODUN FOLORUNSHO*
_Navy Captain_
_Director Naval Information_
_Nigerian Navy_
