Operatives of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base Escravos have successfully dismantled eight illegal oil refining sites at Obodo Omadino in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.
The operations, conducted in three separate raids, resulted in the seizure of 20,710 litres of stolen crude oil and 3,225 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil.
Navy Captain Ikenna Okoloagu, Commanding Officer of FOB Escravos, disclosed over the weekend that the seized products were found in two locally fabricated ovens, 66 dugout pits, and 43 polythene sacks.
In addition to the confiscated oil, the Navy arrested three suspects and impounded two boats during the operations.
Captain Okoloagu explained that on June 6, 2025, acting on credible intelligence, operatives dismantled three illegal refining sites in Obodo Omadino, recovering 4,660 litres of stolen crude oil and 1,125 litres of refined AGO stored in one oven, 19 dugout pits, and 15 polythene sacks.
He further revealed that on June 13, 2025, two more sites at Oteghele, also within Obodo Omadino, were dismantled, leading to the recovery of 8,400 litres of stolen crude oil stored in 21 dugout pits.
Continuing their efforts, on June 15, operatives responded to intelligence about illegal crude oil siphoning at Chevron Nigeria Limited’s Malu Jacket 19, offshore Escravos. An Anti-Crude Oil Theft team was deployed and found a wooden boat connected to the platform by a hose, siphoning crude oil. The boat, fitted with a 40HP Yamaha outboard engine, was seized, and three suspects were arrested.
Captain Okoloagu added that another speedboat, fitted with a 200HP Yamaha outboard engine, was also impounded during the operation.
He stated that these successful operations were based on reliable intelligence and conducted in support of Operation Delta Sanity II, highlighting FOB Escravos’ commitment to the strategic directives of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, Admiralty Medal, aimed at eradicating illegal activities in Nigeria’s maritime domain.
“On arrival, the team discovered a wooden boat connected to the platform via a hose, siphoning crude oil. The boat, fitted with a 40HP Yamaha outboard engine, was seized and three suspects were arrested,” Okoloagu stated.
“In support of efforts to boost Nigeria’s daily crude oil production quantity, Nigerian Navy personnel attached to Forward Operating Base (FOB) Escravos will continue to sustain the fight against crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and other acts of economic sabotage in the Niger Delta region,” Captain Okoloagu affirmed.
