The Nigerian Navy has uncovered 31 dugout pits containing about 62,050 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products at two suspected illegal refining sites in Rivers State.
The Director of Naval Information, Navy Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in an operational report issued on Saturday in Abuja.
According to Folorunsho, the sites were discovered on Sept. 8 in Ogbogolo community, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers, by the Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.
‘The operation led to the discovery of 31 dugout pits containing about 58,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and 4,050 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel.
‘The team also recovered six sacks and one keg containing additional quantities of suspected illegally refined AGO.
‘The sites, located within the Orashi Forest and the wider Ogbogolo area, were handled in accordance with extant regulations,’ he said.
Folorunsho disclosed that no arrests were made because the suspects fled upon sighting the naval team.
He said Operation DELTA SENTINEL had recorded several successful operations since its inception, reinforcing the Navy’s commitment to eradicating illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta.
He also reaffirmed the Navy’s resolve to deny perpetrators access to facilities used for storing and processing petroleum products, thereby protecting Nigeria’s oil resources and economic interests.