Nigerian Navy Operatives Destroy Nine Illegal Refining Sites in Rivers State, Seizing Over 175,000 Litres of Stolen Products
Nigerian Navy Operatives Destroy Nine Illegal Refining Sites in Rivers State, Seizing Over 175,000 Litres of Stolen Products
Operatives from the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder have successfully dismantled nine illegal crude oil refining sites in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, uncovering and destroying approximately 175,000 litres of suspected stolen petroleum products.
The Navy reported that the targeted sites featured 45 ovens, 30 reservoirs, and 75 dugout pits, containing about 60,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, 80,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (diesel), and 33,000 litres of kerosene.
The operation, conducted on May 12, was part of ongoing efforts to combat crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities across the region. During the raid, the Tactical Riverine Assault Squadron Team of NNS Pathfinder also discovered two wellheads connected to pipes used by oil thieves to siphon crude oil to their camps.
In a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Tuesday night, Commodore Cajethan Aniaku, Commander of NNS Pathfinder, confirmed that the team dismantled the illegal refining facilities and the siphoning infrastructure. Although no arrests were made as the suspects fled upon sighting the patrol, the operation was considered a significant success in the Navy’s anti-oil theft campaign.
Aniaku commended the bravery and professionalism of the personnel involved. He reiterated that the Nigerian Navy, under the leadership of Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, remains resolute in its commitment to tackling crude oil theft and illegal bunkering, activities which threaten Nigeria’s economic stability and energy security.
