Operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder have dismantled nine illegal refining sites in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, seizing approximately 175,000 litres of suspected stolen petroleum products.
The Navy revealed that the illegal sites contained 45 ovens, 30 reservoirs, and 75 dugout pits. These held around 60,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, 80,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (diesel), and 33,000 litres of kerosene.
The operation took place on May 12, 2025, as part of the Navy’s ongoing efforts to curb crude oil theft and illegal bunkering in the region.
In a statement released Tuesday night in Port Harcourt, the Commander of NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Cajethan Aniaku, stated that the operation was based on credible intelligence. He added that the Tactical Riverine Assault Squadron Team also uncovered two wellheads fitted with pipes used by oil thieves to divert crude oil to illegal refining sites.
“The NNS Pathfinder’s Tactical Riverine Assault Squadron Team, acting on actionable intelligence, deployed to the area and discovered two illegally connected wellheads. The pipes were dismantled, and the illegal refining sites were destroyed in accordance with anti-crude oil theft protocols,” the statement read in part.
No arrests were made during the operation, as the suspects fled the scene upon noticing the naval team’s approach.
Commodore Aniaku praised the personnel involved for their professionalism and commitment. He reaffirmed the Navy’s resolve—under the leadership of Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla—to continue combating crude oil theft and illegal refining activities, which he described as serious threats to Nigeria’s economy and energy security.