In a significant victory against oil theft and illegal refining, the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder has destroyed nine illegal refining sites in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State. The operation, carried out on May 12, uncovered a massive illegal refining network holding over 175,000 litres of stolen and illegally refined petroleum products.
According to a statement signed by the Commander of NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Cajethan Aniaku, the Navy’s Tactical Riverine Assault Squadron Team dismantled a series of illicit facilities. These included 45 refining ovens, 30 crude oil reservoirs, and 75 dugout pits. The pits contained an estimated 60,000 litres of stolen crude oil, 80,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel), and 33,000 litres of kerosene.
Commodore Aniaku explained that the sites were discovered and dismantled based on credible intelligence. He added that two wellheads were found technically connected with pipes used by oil thieves to siphon crude directly to illegal refining camps. All discovered products were handled in line with anti-crude oil theft procedures.
“No arrests were made during the operation as the suspects fled the scene upon sighting the patrol team,” Aniaku stated.
He praised the bravery of Navy personnel and reiterated the Navy’s commitment to eradicating oil theft. Under the leadership of Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the Navy continues to intensify operations against bunkering and oil-related crimes that threaten Nigeria’s economy and energy security.
This successful raid is part of ongoing efforts to safeguard Nigeria’s petroleum resources and clamp down on illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta.
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