Naval Operations Crack Down On Oil Theft, Illegal Mining In Rivers & Bayelsa
Navy Intensifies Crackdown on Illegal Activities
THE Nigerian Navy has destroyed an illegal crude oil refining site containing about 45,000 litres of stolen crude and arrested 37 suspected illegal miners in separate operations across the Niger Delta.
The Director of Naval Information, Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja.
According to him, the operations were conducted under Operation Delta Sentinel, part of the Navy’s intensified efforts to combat crude oil theft and other economic crimes in the region.
Illegal Refinery Discovered in Rivers
Folorunsho said personnel from Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER discovered the illegal refining site during an anti-crude oil theft patrol around the Ojekiri area in Rivers State.
The facility was located along the Alakiri River, where naval personnel uncovered multiple pits used for storing stolen crude oil.
According to the Navy, the site contained 10 dugout pits holding about 45,000 litres of crude oil believed to have been illegally siphoned from pipelines.
“The illegal refining site and the stored crude oil were subsequently destroyed in accordance with extant operational procedures,” Folorunsho said.
However, he noted that the suspected operators fled the area upon sighting the approaching naval patrol team.
37 Suspected Illegal Miners Arrested in Bayelsa
In a separate operation, naval personnel from Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH apprehended 37 suspected illegal miners at Anyama Jetty in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Folorunsho said the suspects were caught while attempting to transfer black sand from a wooden boat into two trucks waiting at the jetty.
The operation followed credible intelligence regarding illegal mining activities in the area.
Authorities said the mining activity violated a directive issued by the Bayelsa State Government prohibiting black sand mining.
Suspects Handed Over for Investigation
Following their arrest, the suspects, along with the trucks, the wooden boat and the seized mineral resources, were handed over to Operation DOO-AKPO, the Bayelsa State security outfit, for further investigation.
Folorunsho said the action was part of ongoing collaboration between the Navy and state security agencies to curb illegal exploitation of natural resources.
Sustained Operations Against Economic Sabotage
The Navy said the successful operations align with the directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Idi Abbas, who has ordered naval formations to intensify the fight against crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and related crimes.
Folorunsho emphasised that the Navy remains committed to sustaining the momentum of Operation Delta Sentinel through intelligence-driven patrols and partnerships with relevant stakeholders.
He added that protecting Nigeria’s maritime resources remains critical to safeguarding the country’s economic interests.
