The Nigerian Navy, on Friday, disclosed that its operatives have dismantled an illegal crude oil refining site in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, recovering over 20,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil.

This is contained in a press statement issued in Abuja by the Acting Director of Naval Information, Navy Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho.

According to the naval spokesperson, the operation was conducted by personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny under Operation Delta Sentinel, an ongoing initiative aimed at tackling crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta.

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He added that the operation followed credible intelligence indicating the presence of illegal refining activities in Allison Community in Bonny, adding that an anti-crude oil theft patrol team was subsequently deployed to the area, where the personnel discovered an active illegal refining site.

The naval spokesman noted that the facility contained dugout pits, as well as locally fabricated cooking and cooling systems used in crude oil processing. Several sacks filled with substances suspected to be stolen crude oil were also found at the location.

“Further assessment revealed over 20,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil stored at the facility.

“The illegal refining infrastructure was dismantled in line with established operational procedures, while the perpetrators fled on sighting the naval team,” he said.

Folorunsho stated that the operation highlights the Navy’s continued commitment to combating crude oil theft and other forms of economic sabotage in the Niger Delta region.

He added that the action aligns with the directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, to intensify intelligence-driven operations aimed at protecting critical oil infrastructure across the country.

According to him, the operations are also part of broader efforts to support the Federal Government’s target of increasing Nigeria’s crude oil production to 2.5 million barrels per day.