Nigerian Navy Dismantles Illegal Refining Sites in Rivers State
Nigerian Navy Dismantles Illegal Refining Sites in Rivers State
Nigerian Navy Dismantles Illegal Refining Sites in Rivers State
The Nigerian Navy has disrupted attempts by suspected economic saboteurs to establish new illegal refining infrastructure within the Bonny axis of Rivers State.
The operation was carried out by personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny under Operation DELTA SENTINEL following intelligence reports of suspicious activities around the Promise Land area in Bonny Local Government Area.
According to the Navy, an anti-crude oil theft patrol team conducted a coordinated reconnaissance mission across adjoining creeks and waterways to verify the intelligence.
Aerial surveillance later exposed concealed refining equipment hidden beneath dense vegetation within the area. A subsequent ground assessment confirmed the existence of two newly constructed illegal refining sites located close to a river channel.
The sites reportedly contained improvised cooking installations, interconnected pipe networks, and other support infrastructure believed to have been prepared for the processing and transportation of illegally refined petroleum products through nearby waterways.
The Navy said further assessment showed that the operators were still at the early stage of setting up the camps, indicating plans to establish a new illegal refining cluster before full operations could begin.
The refining sites were eventually dismantled in line with operational procedures, while the area has been placed under continuous surveillance and monitoring to prevent renewed activities.
The Nigerian Navy stated that the operation highlights its renewed emphasis on proactive disruption of illegal refining infrastructure before criminal networks fully establish operational capacity.
According to the service, ongoing operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL are focused on identifying emerging hotspots, preventing the expansion of oil theft syndicates, and protecting critical national assets in the Niger Delta region.
The statement was signed by Abiodun Folorunsho, a Navy Captain.
Nigerian Navy Dismantles Illegal Refining Sites in Rivers State
