The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder has dismantled nine illegal refining sites in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, where an estimated 175,000 litres of illicit petroleum products were discovered.
During the operation, the Navy uncovered 45 refining ovens, 30 reservoirs, and 75 dugout pits. These contained approximately 60,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, 80,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (diesel), and 33,000 litres of kerosene.
The operation, carried out on May 12, was aimed at combating illegal bunkering and crude oil theft. Products found at the site included crude oil, diesel, and kerosene.
In a statement personally signed in Port Harcourt on Tuesday night, Commander of NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Cajethan Aniaku, provided details of the successful raid. Aniaku explained that the operation forms part of the Navy’s broader mission to tackle oil-related crimes in the Niger Delta region.
According to him, the Navy’s Tactical Riverine Assault Squadron Team discovered two illicitly connected wellheads used by oil thieves to divert crude oil into their illegal camps.
The statement reads in part, “On 12 May 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. During the operation, the team discovered two wellheads connected with pipes used for siphoning crude oil.
“The team dismantled the pipes connected to the wellheads and also dismantled nine illegal refining sites with 45 ovens, 30 reservoirs, and 75 dugout pits containing approximately 60,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, 80,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, and 33,000 litres of 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.”
Commodore Aniaku lauded the personnel involved for their courage and dedication. He reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment, under the leadership of Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla (Admiralty Medal), to eradicating crude oil theft and illegal bunkering, which he described as major threats to Nigeria’s economic stability and energy security.
