Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB), Escravos, has dismantled six illegal refining sites and seized over 11,000 litres of stolen crude oil in the creeks of the Niger Delta.
The operation, which forms part of the ongoing Operation Delta Sanity II, is aimed at boosting Nigeria’s crude oil production and curbing economic sabotage in the region.
Commanding Officer of FOB Escravos, Navy Captain Ikenna Okoloagu, disclosed the development to journalists in Warri on Friday, noting that the success was achieved through credible intelligence and coordinated raids across multiple sites.
According to him, “these operational breakthroughs in the fight against oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and related crimes align with the strategic directives of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, who has prioritised sustained pressure on economic saboteurs.”
Okoloagu revealed that naval operatives deactivated six illegal refining sites and recovered approximately 11,200 litres of stolen crude oil, found in 28 dugout pits and six polythene sacks, alongside a pumping machine.
Giving further details, he said that on October 2, 2025, personnel acting on actionable intelligence dismantled three illegal refining sites at Obodo Omadino in Warri South-West Local Government Area, recovering 3,750 litres of stolen crude oil. Two more sites were dismantled on October 4, yielding 1,450 litres, while another raid on October 6 led to the seizure of 6,000 litres from two sites in the same community.
Captain Okoloagu reaffirmed the Navy’s resolve to protect Nigeria’s oil assets, stating that the operations directly support the Federal Government’s efforts to increase oil output and end large-scale crude theft.
“The FOB Escravos remains steadfast in dismantling illegal refining infrastructure and safeguarding national economic interests against saboteurs,” he said.
In August 2025, the same naval formation destroyed ten illegal refining sites in similar operations across Delta creeks, underscoring the Navy’s sustained offensive against crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.
