The Nigerian Navy has continued to assert persistent operational control under Operation DELTA SENTINEL over known illegal refining hotspots in Rivers state, thereby frustrating repeated attempts to reactivate dismantled refining infrastructure.

This is contained in an operational report by the Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho on Sunday in Abuja.

Folorunsho in the report, recalled that on July 10, personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS, PATHFINDER, discovered and deactivated illegal refining sites within the Egbema axis of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area.

He said that in spite of that successful operation, criminal elements attempted to reactivate the sites, prompting sustained monitoring and follow-up anti-crude oil theft operations by the navy.

“During the latest operation, NNS PATHFINDER personnel rediscovered and deactivated two reactivated illegal refining sites, recovering approximately 76,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil.

“They also recovered 50,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, concealed in seven dugout pits and reservoirs, bringing the total volume of recovered petroleum products to over 126,000 litres.

“The operation demonstrates the navy’s determination to deny crude oil thieves the opportunity to regain operational footholds or rebuild illegal refining infrastructure within its area of responsibility,” he said.

The director of naval information also said that all illegal refining sites and recovered products were handled in accordance with established anti-crude oil theft procedures, while sustained operational pressure continued across identified criminal enclaves.

The naval spokesperson reaffirmed the navy’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations to dismantle illegal refining infrastructure, disrupt crude oil theft networks, protect critical national assets, and support Nigeria’s economic security.

Troops of the 247 Reconnaissance Battalion have intercepted 15 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, popularly known as petrol, during a fighting patrol in Mubi North Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

This was disclosed in a statement by security expert, Zagazola Makama on Sunday.

Zagazola said that the operation was conducted between 10:30 a.m. and 3:40 p.m. on July 17 along the Muchalla road, following intelligence on the smuggling of petroleum products through the border corridor.

He  said the troops intercepted 15 jerrycans containing suspected smuggled PMS during the patrol.

According to him, the products were seized in line with ongoing efforts to curb the illegal movement of fuel, which is often diverted to support criminal and terrorist activities.

“The intercepted petroleum products have been taken into custody for further necessary action, while troops continue to intensify border patrols to disrupt the logistics networks of criminal elements operating within the North-East,” he said.

A worker has been rescued alive after a fencing wall collapsed during a demolition exercise at Kofar Mata Zango in Kano Municipal Local Government Area on Sunday.

The incident was confirmed in a statement issued by the Kano State Fire Service through its Public Relations Officer, ACFO Saminu Yusif Abdullahi.

According to the statement, the Fire Service received a distress call at about 8:49 am from one Naziru Ahmad, who reported that a fencing wall had collapsed at the site.

The statement said firefighters from the Service Headquarters were immediately deployed to the scene, where they discovered that a residential building measuring about 30 by 20 feet was undergoing demolition.

It explained that the structure became unstable while workers were demolishing the fencing wall.

“During the demolition of the fencing walls, the structure suddenly became unstable. As one of the workers attempted to flee, Sadiq Ahmad fell down, and the collapsing wall trapped him,” the statement said.

The Fire Service said its rescue team quickly began an operation and successfully pulled the victim out alive.

He was immediately taken to Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital for treatment and handed over to his brother, Naziru Ahmad.

The statement added that the cause of the incident was still under investigation.

The Kano State Fire Service also urged residents to observe all necessary safety measures during demolition and construction work to prevent similar incidents.