The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, on Tuesday, said it dismantled eight illegal refining sites and recovered 16,040 litres of stolen crude oil and 1,650 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in the Niger Delta.
The operation by personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Escravos were carried out under the Navy’s ongoing Operation DELTA SANITY II, relying heavily on credible and actionable intelligence.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday in Warri, Delta State, the Commanding Officer of FOB Escravos, Navy Capt. Ikenna Okoloagu disclosed that the raids were carried out as part of sustained efforts to curb economic sabotage and enhance Nigeria’s daily crude oil production.
“In total, the three operations led to the deactivation of eight illegal refining sites, with the seizure of approximately 16,040 litres of stolen crude oil and 1,650 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO),” he said.
According to Okoloagu, the illicit products were discovered hidden across various locations: two ovens, 43 dugout pits, and 18 polythene sacks.
“These operations, conducted under Operation DELTA SANITY II and guided by actionable intelligence, underscore FOB ESCRAVOS’ unwavering commitment to the strategic directives of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, aimed at eliminating all forms of maritime illegality in Nigeria’s territorial waters,” he stated.
Breaking down the sequence of operations, Okoloagu said the first raid occurred on May 14, 2025, at Obodo Omadino, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.
“Two illegal refining sites were dismantled, and approximately 5,625 litres of stolen crude oil were discovered. The crude was stored in one oven and 17 dugout pits”.
A second operation followed on May 19, 2025, in the same location, leading to the dismantling of three additional illegal refining sites.
“This phase yielded approximately 2,500 litres of stolen crude oil and 1,650 litres of illegally refined AGO, found in one oven, five dugout pits, and 18 polythene sacks”.
In a follow-up operation on May 26, 2025, FOB Escravos operatives uncovered another three illegal refining sites in Oteghele, also located in Obodo Omadino.
“These sites harboured an estimated 7,915 litres of stolen crude oil concealed in 21 dugout pits”.
“FOB Escravos remains committed to its mandate of disrupting the operations of economic saboteurs and ensuring that Nigeria harnesses the full benefits of its natural resources,” Okoloagu added.
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