Operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder have demolished nine illegal refining sites in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, seizing a total of 175,000 litres of stolen petroleum products in the process.
The sites, according to the Navy, housed 45 ovens, 30 reservoirs, and 75 dugout pits filled with 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 took place on May 12 and forms part of the Navy’s broader campaign against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta.
Commander of NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Cajethan Aniaku, who signed the statement in Port Harcourt on Tuesday night, revealed that the Tactical Riverine Assault Squadron Team also uncovered two wellheads that had been technically rigged with pipes used to siphon crude oil into illegal refining camps.
“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 statement read.
Acting on credible intelligence, the team moved into the area, dismantling the illegal infrastructure and handling the seized products in accordance with anti-crude oil theft procedures. No arrests were made, as the perpetrators reportedly fled upon sighting the naval personnel.
Commodore Aniaku commended the team’s courage and reaffirmed the Navy’s resolve under the leadership of Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla to eradicate crude oil theft, which he described as a major threat to Nigeria’s economy and energy security.
