Navy Takes Down Illegal Refinery in Rivers, Seizes 20,000 Liters of Stolen Crude!

The Nigerian Navy has shut down an unlawful refining site in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, seizing over 20,000 litres of suspected pilfered crude oil.

This was revealed in a communiqué by the Acting Director of Naval Information, Navy Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, on Friday in Abuja.

Folorunsho stated that the mission was executed under Operation Delta Sentinel by personnel from the Forward Operating Base, FOB, Bonny, Eastern Naval Command.

He mentioned that the operation was prompted by reliable intelligence regarding unlawful refining operations in Allison Community, Bonny.

Folorunsho indicated that an anti-crude oil theft patrol unit was dispatched to the location, resulting in the unearthing of an active illegal refining facility.

He explained that the site featured dugout pits, locally constructed cooking and cooling systems, along with sacks filled with materials believed to be stolen crude oil.

“A subsequent evaluation disclosed over 20,000 litres of suspected pilfered crude oil stored at the site.

“The unlawful refining setup was dismantled in accordance with established operational protocols, while the offenders fled upon observing the naval unit,” he stated.

Folorunsho remarked that the success highlighted the Nigerian Navy’s ongoing endeavors to mitigate crude oil theft and economic disruption in the Niger Delta.

He added that the operation was in line with the directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, CNS, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, to enhance intelligence-driven operations to protect vital oil infrastructure.

He pointed out that such initiatives were also directed towards aiding the Federal Government’s objective of reaching a production target of 2.5 million barrels per day of oil.