NAVY DEMOLISHES NINE UNAUTHORIZED REFINING SITES IN RIVERS
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By: Motunrayo Aniwura
In the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, nine illegal refining sites containing 175,000 liters of stolen products were destroyed by Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder operations on May 12.
According to the Navy, the destruction occurred during an operation in the area on May 12 and listed some of the products at the site as crude oil, Automotive Gas Oil (also known as diesel), and kerosene.
Commander, NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Cajethan Aniaku, personally signed a statement in Port Harcourt on Tuesday evening.
Aniaku said the feat was part of the Navy’s ongoing efforts in the fight against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering.
He revealed that the NNS Pathfinder’s Tactical Riverine Assault Squadron Team also uncovered two wellheads technically connected with pipes used by oil thieves to siphon crude oil to their camps.
The statement partly reads, “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.”
The Nigerian Navy, led by Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla (Admiralty Medal), is dedicated to fighting against illicit bunkering and crude oil theft, which he said pose serious threats to the country’s economy and energy security. Aniaku praised the personnel for their bravery.
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