The Nigerian Navy has stepped up efforts to prevent the reactivation of illegal oil refining sites in Rivers State, recovering more than 126,000 litres of petroleum products during a sustained anti crude theft operation under Operation Delta Sentinel.

The latest action follows an earlier raid on July 10, 2026, when personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder discovered and shut down illegal refining sites in the Egbema area of Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area. Despite that operation, oil theft syndicates attempted to rebuild the dismantled facilities, prompting the navy to maintain surveillance in the area.

Director of Naval Information Abiodun Folorunsho said navy personnel subsequently found and deactivated two reactivated sites, recovering about 76,000 litres of suspected stolen crude and 50,000 litres of suspected illegally refined diesel concealed in seven dugout pits, bringing the total recovered volume to more than 126,000 litres.

The navy said the operation demonstrates its resolve to deny oil theft syndicates any opportunity to rebuild illegal refining infrastructure within its area of responsibility, and reaffirmed its commitment to sustained intelligence driven operations to dismantle theft networks and protect national assets.