Nigerian Navy shuts down 10 illegal oil refineries in Delta State during July anti-theft operations.
Over 20,000 litres of stolen crude and refined fuel were seized under Operation Delta Sanity II.
The Nigerian Navy has successfully shut down 10 illegal oil refining sites in Delta State as part of its ongoing efforts to tackle crude oil theft and environmental degradation in the Niger Delta.
This was revealed by Navy Captain Ikenna Okoloagu, the Commanding Officer of Forward Operating Base (FOB) Escravos, in a statement released on Thursday, July 31, 2025, in Warri.
According to the naval officer, the illegal refining operations were discovered and dismantled in Obodo Omadino and Oteghele communities, both located in the Warri South Local Government Area, following several coordinated operations conducted throughout July 2025.
Okoloagu explained that the crackdown formed part of Operation DELTA SANITY II, a renewed mission aimed at curbing illegal oil activities in the region. He added that the operations were guided by credible intelligence and aligned with the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla’s directive to intensify efforts against economic saboteurs.
“On July 1, our personnel, acting on verified intelligence, dismantled three illegal refining sites in Obodo Omadino,” Okoloagu stated. “At those sites, we recovered about 7,200 litres of stolen crude oil and 1,575 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), stored in one oven, 30 dugout pits, and 21 polythene sacks.”
Further operations followed on July 12 at Oteghele within Obodo Omadino, where the Navy deactivated another refining camp and seized 2,300 litres of crude oil hidden in five dugout pits.
Okoloagu noted that on July 19, a separate illegal operation was uncovered at the same location. Naval personnel dismantled the site and confiscated a pumping machine used for processing stolen crude.
The momentum continued on July 23 when two more illegal refining sites were raided. These contained 2,300 litres of stolen crude and 2,675 litres of illegally refined AGO.
The crackdown peaked on July 28 when naval teams located and shut down three additional illegal operations within Obodo Omadino. These raids resulted in the seizure of more illicit products and dismantling of more local processing equipment.
In total, the Navy said 10 illegal refining sites were destroyed over the course of the month. The cumulative haul included approximately 20,950 litres of stolen crude oil and 6,395 litres of illegally refined AGO.
“These products were being processed and stored using crude and unsafe methods, including two fabricated ovens, 92 dugout pits, and 60 polythene sacks,” Okoloagu stated.
He assured the public that the Nigerian Navy will continue to maintain a firm presence in the creeks and coastal communities, stressing that the fight against oil theft and environmental damage remains a top priority for the force.
