Operation Delta Sentinel uncovers tampered wellhead and illicit refining camps in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni area….
The Nigerian Navy has dismantled several illegal crude oil refining sites and recovered large quantities of suspected stolen crude oil during a security operation in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday through the Navy’s verified account on X.
According to the statement, the operation was conducted under the Navy’s flagship maritime security initiative known as Operation Delta Sentinel, which targets crude oil theft and illegal refining activities across the Niger Delta region.
Illegal tapping of oil well uncovered
The Navy revealed that personnel from Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder (NNS Pathfinder) carried out the raid through its Anti-Crude Oil Theft patrol team.
During the operation, the team discovered a tampered oil wellhead that had been illegally connected to an improvised pipeline system.
According to the Navy, the illegal connection was used to siphon crude oil into dugout pits, where the stolen crude was processed through makeshift refining facilities.
The statement said the patrol team subsequently expanded the search across the surrounding area, leading to the discovery and destruction of several illegal refining camps.
“Further exploitation of the area led to the dismantling of illegal refining sites and equipment, as well as the recovery of a significant amount of suspected stolen crude oil, illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), and Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK),” the Navy stated.
Navy reaffirms commitment to tackling oil theft
The Commander of NNS Pathfinder, Mutalib Raji, said the operation underscores the effectiveness of Operation Delta Sentinel in tackling crude oil theft and other forms of economic sabotage in the Niger Delta.
Raji reiterated the Navy’s commitment to intensifying operations across oil-producing communities while strengthening collaboration with other security agencies and industry stakeholders.
He noted that protecting oil infrastructure remains critical to safeguarding Nigeria’s economic interests and preventing losses in the energy sector.
Previous operations in the area
The latest raid follows a similar operation carried out in late February in the same Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni area.
During that operation, naval personnel destroyed three illegal refinery sites, five ovens, and 25 dugout pits used for crude oil processing.
Investigations at the time also revealed a wellhead that had been illegally tapped, with crude oil being diverted into makeshift refining camps where various petroleum products were produced.
Recovered items from the operation included Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), and Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK).
Ongoing crackdown on oil theft
Oil theft remains one of the most significant challenges facing Nigeria’s petroleum industry, leading to massive revenue losses and disruptions in production.
According to the Nigerian Navy, its anti-crude oil theft operations over the past two years have produced substantial results.
In 2025 alone, the Navy reported that it destroyed more than 800 illegal refinery sites and recovered about 171,000 barrels of stolen crude oil during nationwide enforcement operations.
The crackdown also led to the arrest of 76 vessels and at least 242 suspects linked to illegal refining and crude oil theft activities.
Authorities say sustained security operations are essential to restoring accountability within the oil sector and ensuring Nigeria can meet its crude oil production targets.
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