- Folorunsho stated that the camps contained makeshift cooking units, connected pipelines
- The naval spokesman said the facilities were dismantled in line with operational guidelines,
- personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship Soroh uncovered a hidden fuel dump along the Rivers–Bayelsa border axis
Nigerian Navy has uncovered and dismantled illegal refining facilities while recovering thousands of litres of suspected illegally refined petroleum products during separate operations in Rivers State.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the development was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho.
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Folorunsho explained that the operations were carried out under Operation Delta Sentinel as part of intensified efforts to combat crude oil theft and other forms of economic sabotage in the Niger Delta region.
According to him, operatives attached to the Forward Operating Base, Bonny, acted on credible intelligence regarding suspicious activities around the Promise Land area in Bonny Local Government Area, where they intercepted attempts to establish illegal refining camps.
He said an anti-crude oil theft patrol team conducted a coordinated reconnaissance operation across nearby creeks and waterways, with support from aerial surveillance.
The surveillance, he noted, exposed hidden refining equipment concealed within thick vegetation, while further ground checks revealed two newly built illegal refining sites located close to a river channel.
Folorunsho stated that the camps contained makeshift cooking units, connected pipelines and other facilities designed for the processing and transportation of illegally refined petroleum products.
He added that the operators appeared to be in the early stages of setting up the sites, suggesting plans to create a new illegal refining hub before commencing full operations.
The naval spokesman said the facilities were dismantled in line with operational guidelines, while security surveillance in the area had been intensified to prevent further illegal activities.
In another operation, personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship Soroh uncovered a hidden fuel dump along the Rivers–Bayelsa border axis.
Folorunsho said the discovery followed intelligence reports of suspicious movement of petroleum products around the Okarki waterside in Abua-Odual Local Government Area.
According to him, aerial surveillance identified several sacks hidden within dense vegetation along the creek.
Subsequent searches led to the recovery of approximately 3,800 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil stored in 38 sacks.
Although no arrests were made as the suspects reportedly fled before security operatives arrived, the recovered products were secured in accordance with operational procedures.
Folorunsho noted that the operations underscored the growing use of remote creeks and concealed storage locations by illegal fuel syndicates to sustain their activities.
He reaffirmed that Operation Delta Sentinel would continue targeting illegal refining sites, disrupting criminal networks and safeguarding critical national assets and the maritime environment from economic sabotage.
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