Nigerian Navy Discovers Major Illegal Refinery in Rivers

On October 4, 2026, a joint operation by the Nigerian Navy and the Federal Government Inter-Agency Task Force on Petroleum Theft led to the discovery of a 40,000 litres capacity illegal refinery hidden in the creeks of Bonny Island, Rivers State. The operation was based on actionable intelligence coordinated by the Joint Intelligence Monitoring Team, involving various security and intelligence agencies.

Captain Stanley Umeh, Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base in Bonny, stated that this discovery is the largest since he took command in March 2026. He noted that the facility was at a preparatory stage, unlike previous illegal refineries that had already processed crude.

Umeh emphasized that this operation is a significant step in combating crude oil theft and aims to increase Nigeria's crude oil production. He assured residents of intensified surveillance and patrols in the area, aligning with the Chief of Naval Staff’s strategic directive on crude oil theft.

Omar Sini, Head of Investigation of the Special Prosecution Team, highlighted the collaboration among various agencies that led to this discovery.