Operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER have dismantled five illegal refining sites in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area of Rivers State.
The sites, which were used for massive illegal bunkering activities in the area, had 62 ovens, 21 reservoirs and 55 dugout pits containing approximately 50,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, 83,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 20,000 litres of illegally refined kerosene.
The Commander, NNS PATHFINDER, Commodore Cajethan Nnabuchi Aniaku disclosed this in a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists in Port Harcourt on Sunday night.
Aniaku disclosed that the successful operation against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities in the area was conducted by NNS PATHFINDER’s Tactical Riverine Assault Squadron Team.
He said: “On 14 June 2025, the Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER successfully conducted an operation against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities within the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni general area.
“The NNS PATHFINDER’s Tactical Riverine Assault Squadron Team, acting on credible intelligence, deployed personnel and assets to conduct anti-crude oil theft and illegal bunkering operations within the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni general area. During the operation, the Team discovered a newly activated illegal refining site.
“Accordingly, the team identified and dismantled 5 illegal refining sites with 62 ovens, 21 reservoirs and 55 dugout pits containing approximately 50,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, 83,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 20,000 litres of illegally refined kerosene.
“The products were handled in accordance with anti-crude oil theft procedures. No arrests were made as the perpetrators fled upon sighting the patrol team.”
Aniaku, however, restated that the Nigerian Navy under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, remained committed to combating crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities, which pose significant threats to the nation’s economy and energy security.
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