In a determined effort to curb oil theft and illegal refining in the Niger Delta, operatives from the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta have destroyed an unlawful refinery site in Delta State.
Commander Abdulazeez Zubairu, who oversees operations in the area, confirmed the development during a media briefing in Warri on Saturday. He revealed that the successful raid was the result of credible intelligence regarding ongoing illegal bunkering activities in the creeks.
On 19 June 2025, a team of 14 naval officers, backed by two gunboats and a speedboat, embarked on the mission to dismantle the illegal operation. Their destination: the Obotebe community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, a known hotspot for crude oil-related crimes.
Upon arrival, the naval team discovered a well-hidden site used for the illicit refining of crude oil. Several items were seized, including a 1.5-horsepower Yamaha outboard engine, a power generator, six pumping machines, and two long rolls of industrial hoses—all key equipment used in the refining process.
Commander Zubairu noted that the operation falls under the ongoing “Operation Delta Sanity II”, a wider strategic initiative driven by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla. He reiterated the Navy’s commitment to eradicating crude oil theft and preserving Nigeria’s oil assets.
Our operations are continuous and intelligence-led. We are focused on dismantling these illegal networks and bringing perpetrators to justice,” he said.
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The destruction of this illegal facility is another blow to the criminal cartels operating in the region and emphasizes the Navy’s resolve to restore sanity in the oil-rich but troubled creeks of the Niger Delta.
