The Nigerian Navy has disclosed that its units under the umbrella of Operation DELTA SANITY, uncovered and destroyed 23 Illegal Refinery Sites and recovered large quantities of stolen crude oil in October.

The Director of Naval Information, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, who made this disclosure through a statement issued on Tuesday, 19 November 2024 in Abuja, said the team also uncovered and destroyed 30 ovens, 26 reservoirs, 77 sacks, 19 dug out pits, 21 wooden boats, four jerry cans and two pumping machines.

He said large quantities of crude oil and AGO were successfully recovered during various operations carried out within the month.

According to him, the results had contributed to the increase in Nigeria’s crude oil production, adding that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, recently announced that Nigeria’s Crude oil production had risen to 1,8mbd in the month of October.

“On Oct. 8, three illegal refinery sites, 15 ovens, 12 reservoirs, five dugout pits and two wooden boats laden with about 12,000 litres of stolen crude oil were discovered and destroyed around Bakana River, Bukuma axis and Ogaji-Ama of Rivers.

“On October 9, one suspect with one locally made pistol was arrested with three cases of ammunition. Also, three illegal refinery sites, as well as five reservoirs, two ovens, one dugout pit, two wooden boats cumulatively laden with about 900 liters of product suspected to be stolen crude oil were discovered around Otuwo and Ogboinbiri general area of Bayelsa.

“On October 11, five illegal refinery sites with four ovens, three reservoirs and few sacks laden with about 4,000 liters of stolen crude oil were discovered around Ugbokodo and Christian village in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta.

“Also, a market boat laden with about 2,200 liters of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in jerry cans and sacks were discovered at Idi-Ogba, Ondo State,” he said.