Nigerian Navy Seizes Stolen Crude in Rivers Operation

The Nigerian Navy conducted an operation in Rivers as part of ongoing efforts to combat crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta. During this operation, personnel from the Navy's Delta Sentinel discovered three illegal refining camps and identified 13 dugout pits used to store stolen crude oil.

Captain Abiodun Folorunsho confirmed that the operation recovered several quantities of illegal refined products, including approximately 260,000 liters of suspected crude oil and about 405,000 liters of illegally refined automotive gas oil. Preliminary investigations indicated that the operations were allegedly sourcing crude oil from abandoned wellheads, highlighting the continued exploitation of dormant oil infrastructure by criminal networks engaged in oil theft.

Despite previous crackdowns, criminal elements have repeatedly attempted to reoccupy dismantled sites, necessitating sustained surveillance and rapid response operations. The Nigerian Navy reaffirmed its commitment to intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks and protecting national assets.