The Nigeria Navy revealed this week that it had destroyed six illegal refineries and recovered around 8,660 litres of stolen crude and 1,005 litres of petrol total in the Obodo Omadina community, Warri, according to The Cable.

Ikenna Okoloagu – commanding officer at the forward operating base (FOB) Escravos – noted that the refineries had been destroyed in three separate operations after the navy had received information from local sources.

Renewed efforts by the navy come as part of operation Delta Sanity II, launched in January following the conclusion of Delta Sanity I. According to Nigeria’s Eastern Naval Command, Delta Sanity II involves increased arial surveillance with unmanned arial vehicles (UAVs) and armed attack drones (AADs) when compared to its predecessor. It has also increased the incorporation of non-kinetic measures, improved collaboration with security agencies, and strengthened relations with additional stakeholders to ensure an increase in Nigeria’s crude oil production to more than 2mn barrels per day (bpd).

According to Okoloagu, the operation was carried out in line with the strategic directives of Emmanuel Ogalla, chief of naval staff.

“On April 21, 2025, following credible intelligence, FOB ESCRAVOS personnel discovered and deactivated two illegal refining sites at Obodo Omadino,” he said, adding: “Building on this success, two additional illegal refining sites were uncovered and dismantled in the same area on May 4. During this operation, approximately 3,710 litres of stolen crude oil and 330 litres of illegally refined automotive gas oil [petrol], stored in 11 dug-out pits and 5 polythene sacks, were seized”.

The official continued to list additional operations carried out on May 11: “On May 11, the base identified and destroyed another two illegal refining sites at Obodo Omadino. The site contained an estimated 3,050 litres of stolen crude oil and 675 litres of illegally refined AGO, concealed within an oven, seven dug-out pits, and nine polythene sacks”.

Concluding his statement, Okoloagu warned illegal refiners against continuing the practise, and underscored the navy’s commitment to “disrupting the activities of economic saboteurs”.