The Nigerian Navy has intensified its clampdown on crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, dismantling six illegal refining sites and recovering about 11,200 litres of stolen crude oil during a series of operations conducted under Operation Delta Sanity II.

The operation, executed by personnel of the Forward Operating Base Escravos, is part of the Navy’s renewed efforts to protect the nation’s oil infrastructure and curb economic sabotage in the region.

Speaking to journalists in Warri on Friday, the Commanding Officer of Forward Operating Base Escravos, Navy Captain Ikenna Okoloagu, said the successful raids were carried out based on credible intelligence gathered by naval operatives.

He explained that the Navy’s sustained pressure on oil thieves aligns with the strategic directive of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, who has prioritized aggressive action against crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and other illegal maritime activities.

According to Okoloagu, the operation led to the deactivation of six illegal refining sites where 11,200 litres of stolen crude oil were discovered in 28 dugout pits and six polythene sacks. A pumping machine used by the vandals was also recovered.

Providing details of the raids, he said three illegal refining sites were dismantled on October 2 at Obodo Omadino in Warri South-West Local Government Area, with 3,750 litres of crude recovered from 10 dugout pits and six sacks. Two more sites were destroyed on October 4, yielding 1,450 litres of crude from five dugout pits. The final operation on October 6 led to the recovery of 6,000 litres of crude oil from 13 dugout pits.

Captain Okoloagu emphasized that the operations support the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to boost daily crude oil output and prevent further economic sabotage. He reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to dismantling all illegal refining structures across the region and securing Nigeria’s vital oil assets.

He recalled that in August, the Nigerian Navy had destroyed ten illegal refining sites during similar anti-crude theft operations, underscoring the service’s sustained commitment to restoring integrity in the nation’s oil sector.