The Nigerian Navy has uncovered and sealed three illegal refining sites at Obodo in the Omadino riverine community, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, as part of its intensified crackdown on crude oil theft and economic sabotage.
The operation, executed by personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Escravos, took place in the early hours of Tuesday, following credible intelligence.
Commanding Officer of FOB Escravos, Navy Captain Ikenna Okoloagu, who led the operation, briefed journalists on the development, revealing that the illegal sites contained about 3,700 litres of stolen crude oil and 2,600 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
The products were stored in five ovens, 12 dug-out pits, and 33 polythene sacks.
Captain Okoloagu explained that the operation was part of Operation Delta Sanity II, a special initiative aimed at tackling illegal oil bunkering, pipeline vandalism, and other criminal activities within the maritime environment.
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“This successful raid is a testament to the unwavering commitment of FOB Escravos to the Strategic Directives of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral E. I. Ogalla, in eliminating all forms of illegal activities along our waterways,” Okoloagu said.
He warned individuals engaging in economic sabotage to desist from their actions, stressing that the Base would not relent in its mission to deny criminals the freedom to operate and ensure they face the full wrath of the law.
The Nigerian Navy has intensified its operations across the Niger Delta region, aiming to protect the nation’s critical economic assets from criminal exploitation.