The Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Pathfinder, has dismantled nine illegal refining sites in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, as part of ongoing efforts to curb crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities.
The operation uncovered 45 ovens, 30 reservoirs, and 75 dugout pits, which contained an estimated 60,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and 80,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, AGO.
This was revealed in a statement signed by the Commander of NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Cajethan Nnabuchi Aniaku.
According to Aniaku, the operation, conducted on 12th May, 2025, also led to the destruction of 33,000 litres of kerosene.
He said the Tactical Riverine Assault Squadron Team discovered two wellheads that had been technically connected with pipelines believed to be used by oil thieves to siphon crude oil into their camps.
Commodore Aniaku noted that the seized products were handled in accordance with standard anti-crude oil theft protocols.
He added that no arrests were made, as the suspects fled on sighting the approaching naval team.
He praised the courage and professionalism of his personnel and reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s resolve, under the leadership of Vice Admiral E.I. Ogalla to tackle crude oil theft and illegal bunkering, activities, which he described as serious threats to the nation’s economy and energy security.