The Forward Operating Base (FOB), Escravos, of the Nigerian Navy revealed it had dismantled five illegal refining sites at Obodo Omadino Community in the Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State. This was made public by the FOB Escravos Commanding Officer, Navy Capt. Ikenna Okoloagu, on Tuesday in Warri, stating that about 13,050 litres of stolen crude oil were hidden in 30 dugout pits and three polythene sacks were discovered during the raid.
He said the illegal refining sites were deactivated between Nov. 5 and Nov. 19 following a series of coordinated operations guided by credible intelligence. Mr. Okoloagu said the exercise was carried out under the ongoing Operation DELTA SANITY II.
The naval chief also said the operations were in line with the strategic directives of the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, which focused on maintaining sustained pressure on economic saboteurs.
“Specifically, on Nov. 5, 2025, operatives, acting on actionable intelligence, dismantled two illegal refining sites at Obodo Omadino Community with about 4,000 litres of stolen crude oil.” “Subsequently, on Nov. 14, an additional site was dismantled at the same community with about 3,850 litres of stolen crude oil recovered.
“Additionally, on Nov. 19, two illegal sites were deactivated at the same riverine community, and about 5,200 litres of stolen crude oil were seized,” he said.
The naval boss warned criminals to desist from sabotaging the nation’s economic assets or face the full wrath of the law. Mr Okoloagu expressed the base’s unwavering commitment to stemming illegal activities in the maritime domain and safeguarding the nation’s critical assets from saboteurs.