Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Escravos has deactivated 10 illegal refining sites located in the Obodo Omadino Community of Warri South Local Government Area, Delta State.
This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday and signed by the Commanding Officer of FOB Escravos, Navy Captain Ikenna Okoloagu. According to Okooagu, the sites were dismantled during a series of coordinated operations carried out throughout July 2025, based on credible intelligence.
He furtherstated that the crackdown was part of Operation DELTA SANITY II—an initiative aligned with the Strategic Directives of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, aimed at intensifying pressure on economic saboteurs and protecting national assets.
“On July 1, acting on actionable intelligence, our operatives dismantled three illegal refining sites at Obodo Omadino,” he said. “The facilities contained approximately 7,200 litres of stolen crude oil and 1,575 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO), hidden in one oven, 30 dugout pits, and 21 polythene sacks.”
He further disclosed that an additional illegal refining site was dismantled on July 12 at Oteghele, also within the Obodo Omadino axis. There, personnel recovered 2,300 litres of stolen crude oil stored in five dugout pits.
During a follow-up operation on July 19, another site with an installed pumping machine was uncovered and destroyed in the same area.
Maintaining operational momentum, the base deactivated two active refining sites on July 23, seizing 2,300 litres of stolen crude oil and 2,675 litres of illegally refined AGO.
More recently, on Sunday, July 27, naval personnel uncovered and dismantled another three active illegal refining sites in the same community.
“In total, the base has deactivated 10 illegal refining sites this month alone, seizing approximately 20,950 litres of stolen crude oil and 6,395 litres of illegally refined AGO,” Okoloagu stated.
He added that the seized products were stored in two locally fabricated ovens, 92 dugout pits, and 60 polythene sacks.
Reaffirming the Navy’s resolve, Okoloagu emphasized the base’s unrelenting commitment to eliminating illegal refining infrastructure and securing Nigeria’s vital oil and gas installations.
He issued a stern warning to those involved in the illicit trade: “Desist from these criminal activities or be ready to face the full wrath of the law.”
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