Navy Destroys 5 Illegal Refining Sites, Recover Stolen Products In Rivers, Bayelsa

Nigerian Navy personnel have destroyed five illegal refining sites and recovered stolen products in Rivers and Bayelsa States.

A statement by the Navy spokesman, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said the personnel of NNS PATHFINDER on 1st May, 2026, acting on credible intelligence, deployed an Anti-Crude Oil Theft (Anti-COT) patrol team comprising two gunboats with 20 personnel to conduct operations within the Ahoada West general area of Rivers State.

He said the team uncovered and dismantled five illegal refining sites around Egboama-Ogbogolo community.

According to him, the sites contained approximately 15 dug-out pits, storage facilities, and reservoirs laden with an estimated 85,000 litres of suspected crude oil, as well as 78,000 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).

He said a further assessment revealed that the products were being sourced from wellhead located a few metres from the pits, although the operating company could not be immediately identified.

“The illegal refining infrastructure and products were subsequently destroyed in line with established Anti-COT procedures,” he said.

He said the suspects fled the area upon sighting the naval personnel, and no arrests were made.

In a related operation, personnel of NNS SOROH, acting on credible intelligence, responded to the movement of suspected oil thieves towards the Soku Gas Plant pipeline corridor in Bayelsa State at about 1900 hours.

He said the troops on arrival at the location conducted a thorough search which led to the discovery of equipment used for illegal pipeline connections and oil theft, concealed within nearby bushes.

The items recovered include 10 jerrycans, a three-inch red hose measuring approximately 300 metres, a four-inch brown hose measuring about 200 metres, and a blue pipe of about 20 metres in length.

He said no suspects were apprehended, as they were believed to have fled prior to the arrival of naval personnel, adding that all recovered items were handled in accordance with extant operational procedures.

He reiterated that these operations underscore the Nigerian Navy’s sustained dominance and resolve in denying economic saboteurs freedom of action within the maritime and littoral environment.