Ship Pathfinder of the Nigerian Navy has disclosed that it has successfully destroyed five (5) illegal refineries in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
It was disclosed that the illegal refineries site has about 62 ovens, 21 reservoirs, and 55 dugout pits containing approximately 50,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil.
The site was also site to hold 83,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil and 20,000 litres of refined kerosene illegally.
Commodore Cajethan Aniaku, The Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder in a signed statement made available to news outlets on Sunday in PortHarcourt.
Aniaku said the feat followed a recent operation against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities in the area on 14th June 2025, by the NNS Pathfinder Tactical Team.
“On 14 June 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 within the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni general area. During the operation, the Team discovered a newly activated illegal refining site.
“Accordingly, the team identified and dismantled five illegal refining sites with 62 ovens, 21 reservoirs and 55 dugout pits containing approximately 50,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, 83,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil and 20,000 litres of illegally refined kerosene.”
“The products were handled by anti-crude oil theft procedures. No arrests were made as the perpetrators fled upon sighting the patrol team”.
Aniaku reiterated that the Nigerian Navy under the leadership of Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the Chief of the Naval Staff is averse to crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities, which pose significant threats to the nation’s economy and energy security and therefore resolute in crushing perpetrators.
