Nigerian Navy Uncovers 31 Illegal Refining Pits Containing 62,050 Litres of Petroleum Products in Rivers
Nigerian Navy Uncovers 31 Illegal Refining Pits Containing 62,050 Litres of Petroleum Products in Rivers
The Nigerian Navy has uncovered 31 dug-out pits at two suspected illegal crude oil refining sites in Rivers State, with the facilities containing approximately 62,050 litres of petroleum products.
The discovery was made during an anti-crude oil theft operation aimed at tackling illegal refining activities and other forms of petroleum-related crimes in the Niger Delta region.
The development was disclosed in an operational report issued on Saturday in Abuja by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho.
According to the report, the 31 dug-out pits were discovered across two suspected illegal refining locations. The sites reportedly contained a substantial quantity of petroleum products, estimated at 62,050 litres.
Illegal crude oil refining remains a major concern in the Niger Delta, where the activities of suspected oil thieves have been linked to environmental pollution, economic losses and damage to oil-producing communities.
The operations form part of efforts by security agencies to curb crude oil theft, disrupt illegal refining networks and protect Nigeria’s petroleum resources.
The discovery underscores the continuing challenge posed by illegal refining activities in Rivers State and the wider Niger Delta, where security agencies have continued operations against suspected perpetrators.
Further details on the specific locations of the sites, the types of petroleum products recovered and whether any suspects were arrested were not provided in the information available.
The Nigerian Navy’s ongoing anti-crude oil theft operations are expected to contribute to efforts to safeguard critical petroleum infrastructure and reduce losses associated with illegal activities in the oil-producing region.
