Nigerian Navy Dismantles Illegal Fuel Depot in Rivers, Seizes 87,000 Litres of Suspected Illicit Diesel.

Nigerian Navy Dismantles Illegal Fuel Depot in Rivers, Seizes 87,000 Litres of Suspected Illicit Diesel.

The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal refining activities with the discovery and dismantling of an illegal fuel depot in Rivers State, leading to the seizure of approximately 87,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel.

The operation, carried out by naval personnel as part of ongoing efforts to safeguard Nigeria’s oil infrastructure and curb economic sabotage, resulted in the confiscation of large quantities of suspected illicit petroleum products stored at the illegal facility. Authorities said the raid underscores the Navy’s sustained commitment to disrupting criminal networks involved in illegal oil bunkering and environmental crimes across the Niger Delta.

According to the Nigerian Navy, the operation forms part of broader security initiatives aimed at protecting critical national assets, reducing crude oil theft, and supporting the Federal Government’s drive to boost legitimate oil production. The Navy reiterated that illegal refining not only deprives the nation of significant revenue but also causes severe environmental degradation through oil spills, soot emissions, and the destruction of fragile ecosystems.

Security agencies have in recent months intensified coordinated operations against illegal refining camps and fuel depots across the Niger Delta, leading to multiple arrests, seizures, and the destruction of illicit refining infrastructure. Industry experts have consistently warned that oil theft and illegal refining continue to pose major threats to Nigeria’s economy, energy security, and environmental sustainability.

The Nigerian Navy urged residents to provide credible intelligence on illegal petroleum activities, stressing that collaboration between security agencies and local communities remains essential to combating crude oil theft and protecting national resources.