The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder has concluded a successful operation in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni area of Rivers State, dismantling nine illegal refining sites and seizing massive quantities of stolen petroleum products.
The operation, which was driven by credible intelligence, saw the Navy’s Tactical Riverine Assault Squadron Team deployed to the area where it uncovered a vast network of illegal bunkering activities.
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According to the Commander of NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Cajethan Aniaku, the team destroyed 45 ovens, 30 reservoirs, and 75 dugout pits used for illegal refining. In total, the sites held an estimated 60,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, 80,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and 33,000 litres of kerosene.
“The Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER successfully concluded operations against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities within the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni general area,” Commodore Aniaku stated.
He said, “Acting on credible intelligence, the Tactical Riverine Assault Squadron Team deployed personnel and assets to carry out the operation.”
Furthermore, the Navy team also discovered two oil wellheads that had been illegally tapped with pipes to siphon crude oil. These illicit connections were dismantled along with the refining setups.
Though the operation didn’t result in any arrests, as suspects reportedly fled upon sighting the patrol team, Aniaku confirmed that “the products were handled in accordance with anti-crude oil theft procedures.”
He further emphasized the Navy’s commitment under the leadership of Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla to continue the fight against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering, describing them as serious threats to Nigeria’s economy and energy security.
“The Nigerian Navy remains fully committed to combating crude oil theft and illegal bunkering, which continue to pose a grave threat to Nigeria’s economy and energy security,” he said.
