**Navy Cracks Down on Oil Theft, Destroys Illegal Refinery in Rivers** In a significant move to curb the menace of crude oil theft and illegal bunkering, the Nigerian Navy has destroyed a reactivated illegal refinery site in Rivers State and intercepted suspected stolen petroleum products in Calabar, Cross River State. According to Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Naval Information, the operation was carried out by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH, operating under Operation DELTA SENTINEL. The Navy Ship targeted an illegal refinery site at Okolomade Community in Abua-Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State, where a previously dismantled refining site had resumed operations. Navy personnel discovered that the dismantled refining oven had been rebuilt, and additional refining equipment and storage facilities were found, containing about 3,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). The Navy quickly destroyed the illegal refining infrastructure, including ovens, storage tanks, hoses, connected pipes, and newly acquired metal components used for illegal refining. In another operation, personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship Victory intercepted about 3,950 litres of suspected stolen petroleum products at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) area in Calabar, Cross River. The Navy received credible intelligence on suspected siphoning of petroleum products from vessels berthed at the port and swiftly deployed a patrol team to the area. The suspected perpetrators fled the scene on sighting the Navy patrol team, but the area was cordoned off, and the illegally siphoned products were secured. This operation is a testament to the Navy's commitment to protecting Nigeria's oil resources and ensuring that those who engage in illegal activities are brought to justice. The Nigerian Navy's efforts to combat oil theft and illegal bunkering are laudable, and this operation sends a strong message to would-be perpetrators that the Navy is determined to protect the country's oil resources.