At least nine illegal refining sites have been destroyed by the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base, FOB, Igbokoda, in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The illegal refining sites were discovered within the axis of the Obenla community by the men of the FOB after days of surveillance in the area.
About 20,000 litres of crude oil and 15,000 litres of illegally refined diesel were destroyed during the operation.
The Commander of the Base, Navy Captain Aliyu Usman, stated that the operation was carried out on January 6, 2025, following credible intelligence.
According to the commander, who stated that suspects fled the scene before the arrival of his men, “In continuation with the efforts of the Nigerian Navy to stop all acts of crude oil theft and illegal banking activities within the Nigerian environment, the Forward Operating Base, Igbokoda, stormed into a farmhouse of an illegal refining camp within the Obenla community, where we discovered about nine illegal refining sites within the Obenla sea sites.
“We discovered about 20,000 litres of stolen crude oil, which was yet to be cooked, and about 15,000 litres of illegally refined product suspected to be automatic gas oil (AGO), or diesel.”
Usman described the operation as another achievement for the Nigerian Navy towards the efforts to clean up the environment and as well prevent all acts of illegalities by perpetrators against the Nigerian state.
“These efforts will continue until all illegalities are stopped, and this will be sustained as long as possible. The magnitude of the structure we discovered tells the huge quantity of stolen crude oil being processed there.”
The commander further stressed that the sites will be monitored to prevent a resurgence of the criminal acts, urging residents of the community not to harbour criminals due to the dangers inherent in such.
“We call on all community leaders and traditional leaders to further educate their subjects and ensure such activities are promptly reported to the Nigerian Navy for urgent action in the interest of the country.”
