The Nigerian Navy has made a significant breakthrough in its fight against oil theft and economic sabotage in the Niger Delta region.
In a recent operation, the Navy uncovered a massive illegal oil refining site in Rivers State, capable of producing over 200,000 liters of fuel daily.
The refinery, located near the Ogoloma River, was found to be actively refining stolen crude oil on a large scale.
The site, which was a converted private residence, contained numerous sacks, drums, and tanks filled with illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel.
Commodore Desmond Igbo, the Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, led the operation and disclosed that the discovery was part of the ongoing Operation Delta Sanity, aimed at combating crude oil theft in the region.
The Navy has vowed to intensify efforts against such illegal activities to protect Nigeria’s oil revenue and environment.
During the raid, the Navy arrested the owner of the compound and one of his associates, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other suspects involved in the criminal enterprise.
The seized compound has been sealed, and the suspects will be handed over to prosecuting agencies.
The Nigerian Navy’s commitment to ending oil theft and economic sabotage in the Niger Delta is evident in this operation.
By uncovering and dismantling such large-scale illegal refining sites, the Navy aims to safeguard Nigeria’s oil industry and ensure that the country’s resources benefit its citizens.