By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
The Nigerian Navy, through its Forward Operating Base (FOB) Escravos, has dismantled six illegal refining sites and seized over 11,000 litres of stolen crude oil in Delta State as part of ongoing efforts to curb oil theft and boost national crude output.
Commanding Officer of FOB Escravos, Navy Captain Ikenna Okoloagu, disclosed this on Friday in Warri while briefing journalists on the latest operational achievements recorded under Operation Delta Sanity II.
He said the successes were achieved through credible intelligence and aligned with the strategic directives of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, aimed at sustaining pressure on economic saboteurs operating in the Niger Delta.
According to him, naval personnel recovered about 11,200 litres of stolen crude oil stored in 28 dugout pits and six polythene sacks during the operations. One pumping machine was also seized at the sites.
“Following a series of coordinated operations, FOB Escravos deactivated six illegal refining sites and seized approximately 11,200 litres of stolen crude oil. The products were discovered in 28 dugout pits and six polythene sacks,” Okoloagu said.
Giving a breakdown of the operations, he revealed that on October 2, 2025, operatives acting on actionable intelligence dismantled three illegal refining sites at Obodo Omadino in Warri South-West Local Government Area, where 3,750 litres of stolen crude were recovered.
Two more sites were deactivated at the same location on October 4, leading to the seizure of 1,450 litres of stolen crude oil stored in five dugout pits. Another two sites were destroyed on October 6, with 6,000 litres of stolen crude recovered from 13 dugout pits.
Okoloagu reiterated the Navy’s commitment to ridding the Niger Delta creeks of criminal elements sabotaging the nation’s economy through oil theft and illegal refining.
“The operation was in support of the Federal Government’s drive to boost Nigeria’s daily crude oil output and curb economic sabotage. FOB Escravos remains resolute in dismantling illegal refining infrastructure and safeguarding the nation’s oil assets,” he assured.
It would be recalled that on August 1, 2025, personnel of FOB Escravos destroyed 10 illegal refining sites in similar operations across the Niger Delta creeks.