Nigerian Navy Dismantles Illegal Fuel Depot in Rivers, Seizes 13,000 Litres of Suspected Illicit Diesel.

Nigerian Navy Dismantles Illegal Fuel Depot in Rivers, Seizes 13,000 Litres of Suspected Illicit Diesel.

The Nigerian Navy has intensified its campaign against crude oil theft and illegal refining in the Niger Delta, dismantling an unauthorized fuel storage facility in Rivers State and recovering approximately 13,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel.

The operation was carried out by personnel of the Nigerian Navy as part of ongoing security efforts aimed at disrupting the illegal petroleum supply chain, protecting national oil infrastructure, and curbing environmental degradation linked to illicit refining activities across the region.

According to the Navy, the illegal storage site was discovered during a routine operational patrol. Officers recovered large quantities of suspected illegally refined diesel stored in containers at the facility. The illegal depot was subsequently dismantled in line with operational procedures, while investigations are expected to continue to identify those responsible for the operation.

Crude oil theft and illegal refining remain among Nigeria’s most pressing economic and environmental challenges, particularly in the Niger Delta. Beyond depriving the country of significant oil revenues, the activities contribute to widespread pollution, destruction of ecosystems, and safety risks for surrounding communities.

In recent months, Nigerian security agencies including the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Army, and other stakeholders under Operation Delta Safe have intensified coordinated operations against illegal refining camps, fuel storage sites, and oil theft networks across Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, and neighbouring states. Authorities maintain that sustained enforcement is essential to safeguarding Nigeria’s oil assets and improving national energy security.

The latest seizure underscores the federal government’s continued efforts to combat economic sabotage while reinforcing maritime security and environmental protection in one of Africa’s most important oil-producing regions.